Critical care medicine
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Critical care medicine · Sep 2024
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyAssociation of Fluid Balance and Hemoglobin Decline With Neurological Outcome After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.
To explore the relationship between fluid balance and hemoglobin decline with secondary infarctions and neurologic outcome in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) patients. ⋯ Increased fluid balance influences hemoglobin decline through hemodilution. Fluid overload, rather than a slight decrease in hemoglobin levels, appears to be the primary factor contributing to poor outcomes in aSAH patients. The results suggest aiming for euvolemia and that a modest hemoglobin decline may be tolerated. It may be advisable to adopt a restrictive approach to transfusions, as they can potentially have a negative effect on outcome.
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For critically ill patients with acute severe brain injuries, consciousness may reemerge before behavioral responsiveness. The phenomenon of covert consciousness (i.e., cognitive motor dissociation) may be detected by advanced neurotechnologies such as task-based functional MRI (fMRI) and electroencephalography (EEG) in patients who appear unresponsive on the bedside behavioral examination. In this narrative review, we summarize the state-of-the-science in ICU detection of covert consciousness. Further, we consider the prognostic and therapeutic implications of diagnosing covert consciousness in the ICU, as well as its potential to inform discussions about continuation of life-sustaining therapy for patients with severe brain injuries. ⋯ Emerging evidence indicates that covert consciousness is present in approximately 15-20% of ICU patients who appear unresponsive on behavioral examination. Covert consciousness may be detected in patients with traumatic and nontraumatic brain injuries, including patients whose behavioral examination suggests a comatose state. The presence of covert consciousness in the ICU may predict the pace and extent of long-term functional recovery. Professional society guidelines now recommend assessment of covert consciousness using task-based fMRI and EEG. However, the clinical criteria for patient selection for such investigations are uncertain and global access to advanced neurotechnologies is limited.
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Critical care medicine · Sep 2024
Exploring the Impact of Age, Frailty, and Multimorbidity on the Effect of ICU Interventions: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.
To date, age, frailty, and multimorbidity have been used primarily to inform prognosis in older adults. It remains uncertain, however, whether these patient factors may also predict response to critical care interventions or treatment outcomes. ⋯ Most critical care RCTs do not examine for subgroup effects by frailty or multimorbidity. Although age is more commonly considered, the cut-point is variable, and relative effect modification is rare. Although interventional effects are likely similar across age groups, shared decision-making based on individual patient preferences must remain a priority. RCTs focused specifically on critically ill older adults or those living with frailty and/or multimorbidity are crucial to further address this research question.
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Critical care medicine · Sep 2024
Multicenter StudyEpinephrine Dosing Intervals Are Associated With Pediatric In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Outcomes: A Multicenter Study.
Data to support epinephrine dosing intervals during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) are conflicting. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between epinephrine dosing intervals and outcomes. We hypothesized that dosing intervals less than 3 minutes would be associated with improved neurologic survival compared with greater than or equal to 3 minutes. ⋯ In patients receiving at least two doses of epinephrine, dosing intervals less than 3 minutes were not associated with neurologic outcome but were associated with sustained ROSC and shorter CPR duration.