Current opinion in critical care
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Acute surge events result in health capacity strain, which can result in deviations from normal care, activation of contingencies and decisions related to resource allocation. This review discusses the impact of health capacity strain on patient centered outcomes. ⋯ An understanding of ICU strain is fundamental to the appropriate clinical care for critically ill patients. Accounting for stain on outcomes in critically ill patients allows for minimization of variation in care and an ability of a given healthcare system to provide equitable, and quality care even in surge scenarios.
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The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has posed great challenges to intensive care units (ICUs) across the globe. The objective of this review is to provide an overview on how ICU surging was managed during COVID-19 pandemic, with a special focus on papers published in the last 18 months. ⋯ Although healthcare systems learned how to face some of the challenges with subsequent waves, the pandemic had persistent effects on healthcare systems.
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To describe different strategies adopted during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic to cope with the shortage of mechanical ventilators. ⋯ The experience and evidence gained during the current pandemic is of paramount importance for physicians and law-makers to plan in advance an appropriate response to any future similar crisis. Intensive care unit, hospital, national and international policies can all be improved to build systems capable of treating an unexpectedly large number of patients, while keeping a high standard of safety.
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Transfusion of blood products is lifesaving in the trauma ICU. Intensivists must be familiar with contemporary literature to develop the optimal transfusion strategy for each patient. ⋯ Hemorrhagic shock is the leading cause of death in trauma. Improved resuscitation strategy has been one of the most important contemporary advancements in trauma care and continues to be a key area of clinical research.
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Curr Opin Crit Care · Dec 2022
ReviewIntra-abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome.
Intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) has been acknowledged as an important contributor to organ dysfunction in critically ill patients, both in surgical and medical conditions. As our understanding of the pathophysiology evolves, risk factors are better recognized, preventive measures can now be implemented and therapeutic interventions tailored to the physiology of the patient. In the current review, we want to highlight developing insights in the epidemiology and treatment of patients with IAH and ACS. ⋯ In this manuscript, we provide an overview of recent insights and developments in the epidemiology, monitoring and treatment of patients with IAH and/or ACS.