Steinberg KP, Hudson LD, Goodman RB, Hough CL, Lanken PN, Hyzy R, et al. Efficacy and safety of corticosteroids for persistent acute respiratory distress syndrome. N Engl J Med. 2006 Apr 20;354(16):1671–84.  Introduction and background Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by an early, exudative phase with increased capillary permeability, plasma extravasation, and leukocyte ..read more

Holst LB, Haase N, Wetterslev J, Wernerman J, Guttormsen AB, Karlsson S, et al. Lower versus higher hemoglobin threshold for transfusion in septic shock. N Engl J Med. 2014 Oct 9;371(15):1381–91 Introduction Patients with septic shock often require blood transfusion (1). At the time of conduct of the TRISS trial, the surviving sepsis guidelines recommended a ..read more

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) Clinical Trials Network, Wiedemann HP, Wheeler AP, Bernard GR, Thompson BT, Hayden D, et al. Comparison of two fluid-management strategies in acute lung injury. N Engl J Med. 2006 Jun 15;354(24):2564–75. Introduction Fluid accumulation in the lung provoked by increased capillary permeability is the ..read more

Ehrmann S, Barbier F, Demiselle J, et al. Inhaled Amikacin to Prevent Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia. N Engl J Med. 2023;389(22):2052-2062 Research question The question addressed by the AMIKINHAL trial was: does a 3-day course of nebulized amikacin reduce the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia? Population and design The AMIKINHAL trial was conducted between July 2017 and March 2021 ..read more

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) Clinical Trials Network. Initial Trophic vs Full Enteral Feeding in Patients With Acute Lung Injury: The EDEN Randomized Trial. JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association. 2012 Feb 22;307(8):795–803. Introduction Patients on invasive mechanical ventilation routinely receive enteral nutrition. However, intolerance to ..read more

Canadian Critical Care Trials Group. A randomized trial of diagnostic techniques for ventilator-associated pneumonia. N Engl J Med. 2006 Dec 21;355(25):2619–30 Introduction  Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is among the most common nosocomial infections and may occur in up to 10% of patients who undergo invasive mechanical ventilation (1). The development of VAP is associated with adverse clinical ..read more

Introduction Thrombolysis is well established as an effective therapeutic strategy in acute massive pulmonary embolism (1,2). Besides, it is also recommended in patients who are hemodynamically stable following submassive pulmonary embolism, characterized by right ventricular dilatation or hypokinesia, or increased level of biomarkers (3). Thrombolytic treatment carries with it an increased risk of bleeding; particularly, intracerebral hemorrhage ..read more

Caironi P, Tognoni G, Masson S, Fumagalli R, Pesenti A, Romero M, et al. Albumin Replacement in Patients with Severe Sepsis or Septic Shock. N Engl J Med. 2014 Apr 10;370(15):1412–21.  Introduction  There is a strong physiological rationale behind albumin administration in septic patients – one of the main purported benefits is the maintenance of ..read more

Roberts I, Yates D, Sandercock P, Farrell B, Wasserberg J, Lomas G, et al. Effect of intravenous corticosteroids on death within 14 days in 10008 adults with clinically significant head injury (MRC CRASH trial): randomised placebo-controlled trial. Lancet Lond Engl. 2004 Oct 9;364(9442):1321–8. Introduction Several millions around the globe suffer accidental injury every year. Severe ..read more

Introduction and background Atrial fibrillation is common following cardiac surgery, occurring in approximately 25–50% of patients (1). Postoperative atrial fibrillation carries an increased risk of complications and may be associated with higher mortality (2). Furthermore, new-onset atrial fibrillation in the postoperative period often leads to prolongation of ICU and hospital stay (3,4). The management of postoperative atrial fibrillation ..read more