Critical care medicine
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Critical care medicine · Jun 2024
Meta Analysis Comparative StudyComparison of Different Treatments of Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.
Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) is a life-threatening disease. Despite being considered the gold standard treatment scheme, inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) is not readily available in settings with limited resources. Therefore, in recent years, research on related drugs is being actively pursued. Herein, we aimed to use random-effects network meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and associated mortality of different PPHN therapies. ⋯ MNO + OSID is the most effective PPHN treatment. If iNO is not available, OSID + milrinone is preferred.
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Critical care medicine · Jun 2024
Multicenter Study Observational StudyIntubation Decision Based on Illness Severity and Mortality in COVID-19: An International Study.
To evaluate the impact of intubation timing, guided by severity criteria, on mortality in critically ill COVID-19 patients, amidst existing uncertainties regarding optimal intubation practices. ⋯ In severe COVID-19 cases, an early intubation strategy, guided by specific severity criteria, is associated with a reduced risk of death. These findings underscore the importance of timely intervention based on objective severity assessments.
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Critical care medicine · Jun 2024
ReviewToward Equitable Kidney Function Estimation in Critical Care Practice. Guidance From the Society of Critical Care Medicine's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Renal Clinical Practice Task Force.
Accurate glomerular filtration rate (GFR) assessment is essential in critically ill patients. GFR is often estimated using creatinine-based equations, which require surrogates for muscle mass such as age and sex. Race has also been included in GFR equations, based on the assumption that Black individuals have genetically determined higher muscle mass. However, race-based GFR estimation has been questioned with the recognition that race is a poor surrogate for genetic ancestry, and racial health disparities are driven largely by socioeconomic factors. The American Society of Nephrology and the National Kidney Foundation (ASN/NKF) recommend widespread adoption of new "race-free" creatinine equations, and increased use of cystatin C as a race-agnostic GFR biomarker. ⋯ The lack of direct evidence in critically ill patients is a key barrier to broad implementation of newly developed "race-free" GFR equations. Additional research evaluating GFR equations in critically ill patients and novel approaches to dynamic kidney function estimation is required to advance equitable GFR assessment in this vulnerable population.