Current opinion in critical care
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Early revascularization significantly improved the outcome of patients with cardiogenic shock following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Nevertheless, the mortality remains substantial, ranging between 40 and 50% after 30 days. The present review summarizes the current evidence regarding revascularization strategies, vascular access site and concomitant antiplatelet and antithrombotic treatment in infarct-related cardiogenic shock. ⋯ Early revascularization is the cornerstone of treatment of infarct-related cardiogenic shock and should be confined to the culprit lesion in the emergency setting.
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Curr Opin Crit Care · Aug 2020
ReviewMitochondrial dysfunction in critical illness during acute metabolic stress and convalescence: consequences for nutrition therapy.
Mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with increased morbidity and mortality during and after critical illness. The concept of adaptive mitochondrial metabolic-bio-energetic downregulation rather than bio-energetic failure during the acute phase of critical illness has gained traction. As mitochondria are not able to utilize substrate during adaptive hibernation and aggressive feeding induces further harm, this condition has consequences for nutrition therapy. ⋯ Optimal nutrition therapy in the early phase of critical illness should avoid overfeeding and preserve (adaptive) mitochondrial function. Micronutrient supplementation probably requires a strategic cocktail instead of a high dosage of a single nutrient. Focus on identification of distinct metabolic phases to adapt nutrition during and after critical illness is essential.
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Curr Opin Crit Care · Aug 2020
ReviewThe place of extracorporeal life support in cardiogenic shock.
Temporary circulatory support (TCS) devices are increasingly used as a salvage therapy for patients with refractory cardiogenic shock. The exact place of the different TCS devices in the management of cardiogenic shock patients remains unclear and intensely debated. This article provides an overview on new cardiogenic shock classification, currently available devices, place of TCS in the management of cardiogenic shock patients, and discusses the results of recent case series and trials in this setting. ⋯ TCS devices have become the cornerstone of the management of patients with refractory cardiogenic shock. VA-ECMO has emerged as the first-line support system in this setting, with a growing number of accepted indications. Large adequately powered randomized controlled trials are now underway and should help to determine the respective place of different TCS devices in strategies to treat cardiogenic shock patients.
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Curr Opin Crit Care · Aug 2020
ReviewTrace element and vitamin deficiency: quantum medicine or essential prescription?
In critical care, micronutrients remain perceived as 'quantum' part, that is, a little pertinent component of therapy. Some micronutrients have attracted more attention because of their antioxidant properties. During the last decade, some large size trials have tested their therapeutic potential, generally as 'single high-dose micronutrient intervention', with variable success. This review aims at taking stock of most recent. ⋯ Micronutrients are essential in the ICU. Due to their antioxidant properties and to the high prevalence of low blood concentrations suggestive of deficiency, several large-size RCTs have been conducted with variable success. Further research must clarify the respective importance of deficiency and inflammation.
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Curr Opin Crit Care · Aug 2020
ReviewContinuous versus intermittent feeding of the critically ill: have we made progress?
Despite the lack of high-quality data for many years, the discussion on the best modality for enteral nutrition has been going on with little changes pertaining in recent guidelines. The present work aims to provide an overview on the different arguments in favour of either continuous or noncontinuous modes of enteral feed administration, emphasizing both clinical and pathophysiological aspects and comparing their relevance. ⋯ A clinical equipoise continues to characterize the analysis that can be drawn from examining the most recent research work on the subject, allowing to infer that the most practical mode in terms of the interest of patient safety and comfort has to be privileged in day-to-day clinical care.