Current opinion in critical care
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Airway management is one of the most challenging aspects in the field of anesthesia. This is also the case when an emergency airway situation arises in the postoperative patient. These airway procedures are often classified as advanced with high complexity. This article aims to address emergency airway management in the post anesthesia care unit. ⋯ This article focuses on emergency airway management in the post anesthesia-care unit. A questionnaire for risk assessment and improvement of quality of care is presented. Different types of emergencies are discussed, i.e., due to medication, medical conditions (e.g., obstructive sleep apnea, pulmonary problems, stridor), procedural related emergencies (e.g., neurosurgery, head and neck surgery) and cardiac arrest. Each specific cause of emergency needs a different approach. A PACU airway rescue flowchart is presented.
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Curr Opin Crit Care · Dec 2024
ReviewManual mastery vs. mechanized magic: current opinions on manual vs. mechanical chest compressions.
Mechanical chest compression devices are increasingly deployed during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. We discuss the data supporting the use of mechanical chest compression devices during cardiac arrest and provide an opinion about the future of the technology. ⋯ Mechanical chest compression devices offer a solution to some of the human limiting factors of resuscitation, but have failed to demonstrate meaningful improvement in outcomes from cardiac arrest. Routine use of mechanical chest compression devices during cardiac arrest is not supported by evidence.
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Curr Opin Crit Care · Dec 2024
ReviewAdvances in critical care nephrology through artificial intelligence.
This review explores the transformative advancement, potential application, and impact of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly machine learning (ML) and large language models (LLMs), on critical care nephrology. ⋯ The integration of AI in critical care nephrology has the potential to revolutionize the management of AKI and continuous renal replacement therapy. While AI holds immense promise for improving patient outcomes, its successful implementation requires ongoing training, education, and collaboration among nephrologists, intensivists, and AI experts.
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Curr Opin Crit Care · Dec 2024
Editorial ReviewProtective hemodynamics: a novel strategy to manage blood pressure.
This editorial aims to highlight the evolving concept of protective hemodynamics in the management of critically ill patients. ⋯ The implications of adopting protective hemodynamics are profound for both clinical practice and research. Clinically, this approach can reduce iatrogenic harm and improve long-term outcomes for critically ill patients. For research, it opens new avenues for investigating individualized hemodynamic management strategies that prioritize overall patient stability and long-term health over rigid target attainment.
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Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent and serious complication in critically ill patients. Currently, no effective therapy to prevent or treat AKI is available. This review highlights recently published developments on pharmacological treatments that aim to prevent AKI or to alleviate the severity of AKI in critical ill patients. ⋯ The discovery of reno-protective therapies is hampered by the timely detection and recognition of the overriding mechanism of AKI. Nevertheless, several compounds are under investigation, which hold promise for a future treatment.