Current opinion in critical care
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Curr Opin Crit Care · Oct 2023
ReviewOptimal drug therapy for Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia in adults.
Staphylococcus aureus is a significant human pathogen, causing a variety of infections, from skin and soft tissue infections to endocarditis, bone and joint infections and deep tissue abscesses. Mortality from S. aureus bacteraemia remains high, without major therapeutic advances in recent decades. ⋯ This review details the different PK/PD targets for drugs used to treat S. aureus bacteraemia and how to apply them in various scenarios. The drug doses that achieve them, and the risks of toxicity are also provided.
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This article aims to provide an updated review on the epidemiology and outcomes of severe meningoencephalitis. ⋯ Recent multicenter studies have enhanced our understanding of the current epidemiology and outcomes of severe meningoencephalitis in adult patients.
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Curr Opin Crit Care · Oct 2023
ReviewPhysical rehabilitation, mobilization and patient-centred outcomes: what is new?
Physical rehabilitation and mobilization interventions aim to reduce the incidence of intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired weakness and subsequently reduce morbidity in critically ill patients. This chapter will explore the evidence for physical rehabilitation and mobilization with an emphasis on patient-centred outcomes selected in randomized controlled trials. This is particularly pertinent at a time when clinicians are deciding how to implement physical rehabilitation and mobilization into the treatment of critically ill patients. ⋯ Patient-centred outcomes are often utilized in physical rehabilitation and mobilization research, but this does not automatically correspond to an increase in research quality. Improving consistency in trials of physical rehabilitation will aid in the interpretation and translation of physical rehabilitation research.
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Curr Opin Crit Care · Oct 2023
ReviewDigital solutions and the future of recovery after critical illness.
Digital technologies may address known physical and psychological barriers to recovery experienced by intensive care survivors following hospital discharge and provide solutions to care fragmentation and unmet needs. The review highlights recent examples of digital technologies designed to support recovery of survivors of critically illness. ⋯ Digital interventions supporting recovery comprise web or app-based recovery clinics or pathways and digital delivery of psychological interventions. Understanding of efficacy is relatively nascent, although several studies demonstrate feasibility and acceptability. Future research is needed but should be mindful of the risk of digital exclusion.
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Curr Opin Crit Care · Oct 2023
ReviewSepsis and acute respiratory failure in patients with cancer: how can we improve care and outcomes even further?
Care and outcomes of critically ill patients with cancer have improved over the past decade. This selective review will discuss recent updates in sepsis and acute respiratory failure among patients with cancer, with particular focus on important opportunities to improve outcomes further through attention to phenotyping, predictive analytics, and improved outcome measures. ⋯ Improving outcomes in oncologic critical care requires attention to the heterogeneity of cancer diagnoses, timely recognition and management of critical illness, and defining appropriate ICU outcomes.