T-piece SBT harder work
24 difficult to wean patients underwent three spontaneous breathing trials in random order, with PA catheter monitoring in place. T-piece […]
All Updates, ICU
ICU
Stuff relevant to patients on ICU
All Updates, ICU
Dexmedetomidine meta-analysis
Results from 24 studies on dexmedetomidine were assessed in a meta-analysis to determine the effect on ICU length of stay. […]
All Updates, ICU, Resus
Mallampati assessment in ED airways
In a series of approximately 300 patients intubated in the ED, operators were unable to complete a Mallampati assessment in […]
Acute Med, All Updates, Guidelines, ICU, Resus
British Thoracic Society pneumothorax guideline
The Britsh Thoracic Society has published its 2010 guidelines on the management of spontaneous pneumothorax. These are one of number […]
All Updates, ICU, Resus, Ultrasound
Saline can be used in place of US gel
A study comparing sterile saline as a conduction agent with ultrasound gel showed adequate visualization of anatomic structures for ultrasound-guided […]
All Updates, ICU, Kids, PHARM, Resus
Etomidate in RSI – systematic review
A systematic review of 20 included studies comparing a bolus dose of etomidate for rapid sequence induction with other induction […]
Acute Med, All Updates, ICU, Resus
Complex acid-base problems
Working out the expected compensatory response to an acid base disturbance often reveals a second acid-base problem that was otherwise […]
All Updates, ICU, Resus
Femoral SvO2 not so useful
Bloods sampled from both femoral vein and SVC-sited catheters in critically ill patients showed good correlation in lactate levels but […]
All Updates, ICU, Resus
ALI / ARDS strategies
A CME article in Critical Care Medicine summarises the literature on ARDS (including its limitations) and provides evidence based recommendations […]
All Updates, ICU, Kids, PHARM, Resus
Less RSI desaturation with Roc
Some of my pre-hospital critical care colleagues in the UK exclusively use rocuronium in preference to suxamethonium for rapid sequence […]