Browse Critical Care General Articles by Topic

Can EEG and fMRI Help Predict Who Will Recover Consciousness After Brain Injury?

In conjunction with serial clinical examinations, electroencephalogram and functional magnetic resonance imaging may be helpful in predicting who will recover consciousness after an acute brain injury. However, in this study, early withdrawal of care leaves much uncertainty regarding the probability of eventual recovery.

Diltiazem Found to Be Better than Metoprolol in Heart Rate Reduction for Atrial Fibrillation in Heart Failure

In patients with atrial fibrillation and heart failure, intravenous diltiazem results in greater heart rate reduction than metoprolol with a similar safety profile, but further research is needed in this patient population.

Short-Term Use of Haloperidol Did Not Decrease Risk of Mortality in ICU Patients with Delirium

The use of scheduled intravenous haloperidol in intensive care unit patients with delirium did not result in additional days alive and out of the hospital at 90 days as compared to placebo.

Antibacterial Therapy in the Critically Ill

Appropriate antibiotic therapy in the critically ill requires consideration of important patient-specific factors, such as antibiotic therapy in the preceding 30 days; culture and sensitivity data, if available, within the prior six months; and local resistance patterns.

Family Members of Critically Ill Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Pneumonia Have a High Burden of Symptoms of PTSD

This multicenter cohort study found a high incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms among family members of COVID-19 patients at three months after the index intensive care unit admission.

Limitation of Tidal Volume Is Cardioprotective Among Mechanically Ventilated Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery

In this experimental study, rising tidal volume increased right ventricular afterload.

Family Members of Critically Ill Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Pneumonia Have a High Burden of Symptoms of PTSD

This multicenter cohort study revealed a high incidence of PTSD symptoms among family members of COVID-19 patients at three months after the ICU admission.

Appropriate Oxygenation Targets in the Treatment of Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure

The care of critically ill patients in the ICU remains challenging. Recent studies support current protocols for the delivery of oxygen to patients who require supplemental oxygen due to respiratory failure of varying etiologies. Broad oxygenation targets of SpO₂ between 88% to 97% continue to be supported by recent trials.

Updated Recommendations on Pediatric End-of-Life Care

A report includes a review of essential elements of care for patients and families. The authors covered discussions on goals of care, how to establish end-of-life care goals, advance care planning, and palliative and hospice involvement.

Court-Appointed Guardians for Unrepresented Patients

Ethicists are seeing a range of issues arise during consults involving unrepresented patients, including conflicts over how aggressive treatment should be, whether to treat at all, how to discharge, and how to follow up with compliance with treatment. Creating a template for actions to take related to unrepresented persons who present to the hospital is a proactive first step.