Current opinion in critical care
-
Vitamin C can be a potential adjunctive treatment option for critically ill individuals due to its pleiotropic effects as electron donor in many enzymatic reactions throughout the body. Recently, several important randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating vitamin C in critically ill patients have been published. ⋯ Future work should address optimal vitamin C timing, since early versus late drug administration are likely distinct, and duration of therapy, where withdrawal-induced injury is possible. Additionally accurate assessment of body stores with determination of individual vitamin requirements is crucial to ascertain patient and subgroups most likely to benefit from vitamin C.
-
Curr Opin Crit Care · Aug 2024
ReviewThe enteroendocrine axis and its effect on gastrointestinal function, nutrition, and inflammation.
Gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction limits enteral nutrition (EN) delivery in critical illness and contributes to systemic inflammation. The enteroendocrine (EE) axis plays an integral role in this interface between nutrition, inflammation, and GI function in critical illness. In this review, we present an overview of the EE system with a focus on its role in GI inflammation and function. ⋯ The EE system is key in maintaining GI homeostasis in critical illness, and how it is impacted and contributes to outcomes in the setting of dysbiosis , inflammation and different feeding strategies in critical illness should be considered.
-
Curr Opin Crit Care · Aug 2024
ReviewSex differences in the presentation and outcomes of patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock: a critical review of contemporary data and a look towards future directions.
Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a devasting complicating of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), associated with significant mortality. Prior studies have reported sex differences in the presentation, management and outcomes of patients with AMI and CS. These differences are likely due to a variety of factors influencing therapeutic decision-making and impacting survival. This review highlights the more contemporary studies exploring differences in women and men with AMI-CS, providing a critical perspective towards understanding the factors that might lead to these differences and outlining potential opportunities to reduce disparities in treatment and improve survival for women with AMI-CS. ⋯ Standardizing protocols for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with AMI-CS, with an emphasis on early revascularization and appropriate invasive therapies, can improve outcomes in women and narrow the gender gap.
-
Curr Opin Crit Care · Aug 2024
ReviewUnderstanding the complexity of cardiogenic shock management: the added value of advanced computational modeling.
The purpose of this review is to explain the value of computational physiological modeling for in-depth understanding of the complex derangements of cardiopulmonary pathophysiology during cardiogenic shock, particularly when treated with temporary mechanical circulatory support (tMCS) devices. ⋯ The use of computational physiological models is increasingly appreciated for educational purposes as they help to understand the complexity of cardiogenic shock, especially when sophisticated management of tMCS is involved in addition to multimodal critical care support. Practical implementation of computational models as clinical decision support tools at the bedside is at the horizon but awaits rigorous clinical validation.
-
Curr Opin Crit Care · Aug 2024
ReviewBeyond one-size-fits-all in cardiogenic shock: impella, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or tailored use of mechanical circulatory support?
This article offers an overview of recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) testing the efficacy of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) and microaxial flow pump (mAFP) in treating cardiogenic shock, including findings from the DanGer shock trial. It summarizes the clinical implications and limitations of these studies and key decision-making considerations for cardiogenic shock device use. ⋯ Recent trials offer insights into mechanical circulatory support in cardiogenic shock, but their real-world applicability is limited. Despite potential benefits, the use of VA ECMO and mAFP is associated with significant complication rates, emphasizing the need for personalized use.