Newsletter 159
December 21st 2014
Welcome to the 159th Critical Care Reviews Newsletter, bringing you the best critical care research published in the past week, plus a wide range of free full text review articles, guidelines, commentaries, editorials, study critiques, correspondence and case reports from hundreds of clinical and scientific journals.
It's a fantastic edition this week, ranging from major RCTs on stroke and traumatic brain injury, to methodological insights into the measurements we base our daily practice on, to a commentary on William Osler, a modern Father of Medicine. Changing to a more sombre topic, Christmas is an appropriate time to reflect on the incredible bravery of our colleagues in West Africa, tackling the Ebola virus disease epidemic so we don't have to. Healthcare workers fighting this outbreak are 103 times more likely to become infected than the general population, with predictable consequences. The Lancet has published a poignant account of some of these people, to whom we all owe a debt of gratitude.
This week's Topic of the Week is transport medicine, starting with a paper on aeromedical tranfer of the critically ill patient in tomorrow's Paper of the Day.
If you have any comments or ideas for how to improve the site or newsletter, or suggested topics to be covered, please get in touch at rob@criticalcarereviews.com.
Upcoming Meetings
Critical Care Reviews Meeting 2015
It's now less than five weeks until the Critical Care Reviews Meeting 2015, discussing the hottest trials of 2014. Studies being reviewed include the mechanical chest compression device studies CIRC and LINC; ALBIOS, investigating albumin in sepsis; TRISS, evaluating red cell transfusion thresholds in septic shock; OPTIMISE, looking at perioperative goal-directed haemodynamic therapy; SEPSISPAM, examining blood pressure targets in septic shock, PEITHO, exploring fibrinolysis in intermediate-risk PE, and a comparison of cerebral perfusion pressure-targeted therapy versus intracranial pressure-targeted therapy for raised intracranial pressure in paediatric CNS Infections. Chief investigators for three of the major RCTs presented at the Hot Topics Session of the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine meeting in Barcelona in October are present to discuss their work (CALORIES, HARP 2, VITdAL-ICU), as is the chief investigator for TTM. 2014 is the year of the early goal-directed sepsis therapy studies, and the chief investigator for ProMISe will be on hand to discuss the results of ProCESS & ARISE, as well as give an insight into the yet to finish UK sepsis study ProMISe. If this wasn't enough, there are also review talks from world experts on early mobilisation, ECMO, airway management, sepsis and neuroprognostication post cardiac arrest. Regardless if you're a believer in, or skeptic of, evidence-based medicine, you'll be amazed by the discussion on this recent paper exposing the fragility of the science we base our practice on.
The programme is available and online registration is open. With a global array of speakers, including the chief investigators for some of the biggest studies of the past 12 months, this is one of the most contemporary meetings around. Register early and don't miss out. There are only a few remaining hotel rooms available, so you'll need to book them today. Please feel free to contact me if you're thinking about making the trip - it would be great to hear from you.
SMACC Chicago
The workshops for the SMACC conference are rapidly filling, so if you are going, and plan on attending one, you had best register soon. Some have already sold out! If you're interested in evidenced-based medicine, Simon Carley, Rick Body and I willl be reprising last year's workshop. Ken Milne, Scott Aberegg and David Newman will be joining us for a North American view of how to interpret the literature. If you haven't heard about the greatest critical care conference in the world, then you need to visit the SMACC website.
Critical Care Horizons
Critical Care Horizons is a fresh new voice in the critical care literature, offering thought-provoking, cutting-edge commentary and opinion papers, plus state-of-the-art review articles. The journal is free to publish with and free to read, opening authorship opportunity to all. The energetic editorial board consists of a deliberate mix of clinicians active in social media and world renowned academics, all driven by a desire to improve the care we offer our patients, and operate without financial gain or incentive. A call for papers has been issued, so if you have something interesting to say, and can say it in an engaging manner, please get in touch. The first issue will be released in January 2015.
COI - I am the editor-in-chief of this new journal, but work in a voluntary capacity, as do all the editors.
Research
Randomized Controlled Trials
- Full Text: Berkhemer. A Randomized Trial of Intraarterial Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke (MR CLEAN Trial). N Engl J Med 2014;epublished December 17th
- Full Text: Wright. Very Early Administration of Progesterone for Acute Traumatic Brain Injury (PROTECT III Trial) Investigators. N Engl J Med 2014;epublished December 10th
- Full Text: Skolnick. A Clinical Trial of Progesterone for Severe Traumatic Brain Injury (SYNAPSE Trial). N Engl J Med 2014;epublished December 10th
- Abstract: Wong. High-Dose Simvastatin for Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Multicenter Randomized Controlled Double-Blinded Clinical Trial. Stroke 2014;epublished December 16th
- Abstract: Potura. An Acetate-Buffered Balanced Crystalloid Versus 0.9% Saline in Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease Undergoing Cadaveric Renal Transplantation: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial. Anesth Analg 2015;120(1):123-129
Meta Analyses
- Full Text: Menegueti. Effectiveness of heat and moisture exchangers in preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia in critically ill patients: a meta-analysis. BMC Anesthesiology 2014;14:115
- Abstract: Xu. Comparison of the effects of albumin and crystalloid on mortality in adult patients with severe sepsis and septic shock: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Critical Care 2014;18:702
- Abstract: Kuipers. Incidence, risk factors and outcomes of new-onset atrial fibrillation in patients with sepsis: a systematic review. Critical Care 2014;18:688
- Abstract: Shiber. β-Lactam/β-lactamase inhibitors versus carbapenems for the treatment of sepsis: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Antimicrob Chemother 2014;70:41-47
- Abstract: Bailey. Sodium Bicarbonate and Renal Function after Cardiac Surgery: A Prospectively Planned Individual Patient Meta-analysis. Anesthesiology 2014;epublished December 10th
- Abstract: Gu. Effect of lung-protective ventilation with lower tidal volumes on clinical outcomes among patients undergoing surgery: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. CMAJ 214;epublished December 15th
- Full Text: Chuang. Daptomycin versus linezolid for treatment of vancomycin-resistant enterococcal bacteremia: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Infectious Diseases 2014;14:687
Observational Studies
- Abstract: Monnet. Comparison of pulse contour analysis by Pulsioflex and Vigileo to measure and track changes of cardiac output in critically ill patients. Br J Anaesth 2014;Dec 16
- Full Text: Wolf. Severe Ebola virus disease with vascular leakage and multiorgan failure: treatment of a patient in intensive care. Lancet 2014;epublished December 18th
- Abstract: Yunos. Chloride-liberal vs. chloride-restrictive intravenous fluid administration and acute kidney injury: an extended analysis. Intensive Care Med 2014;December 18th
- Full Text: Muller. Assessment of Neutrophil Gelatinase-associated Lipocalin in the Brain-dead Organ Donor to Predict Immediate Graft Function in Kidney Recipients: A Prospective, Multicenter Study. Anesthesiology 2015;122:96-105 (full text until January 15th)
- Full Text: Clifford. Characterizing the Epidemiology of Postoperative Transfusion-related Acute Lung Injury. Anesthesiology 2015;122:12-20 (full text until January 15th)
- Full Text: Clifford. Characterizing the Epidemiology of Perioperative Transfusion-associated Circulatory. Anesthesiology 2015;122:21-28 (full text until January 15th)
- Full Text: Reddy. Anaphylaxis Is More Common with Rocuronium and Succinylcholine than with Atracurium. Anesthesiology 2015;122:39-45 (full text until January 15th)
- Abstract: Wallace. Critical Care Bed Growth in the United States: a Comparison of Regional and National Trends. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2014;epublished December 18th
- Full Text: van Beest. Tissue oxygenation as a target for goal-directed therapy in high-risk surgery: a pilot study. BMC Anesthesiology 2014;14:122
- Abstract: Nørskov. Diagnostic accuracy of anaesthesiologists’ prediction of difficult airway management in daily clinical practice: a cohort study of 188 064 patients registered in the Danish Anaesthesia Database. Anaesthesia 2014;epublished December 16th
- Abstract: Kunadian. Outcomes in Patients With Cardiogenic Shock Following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in the Contemporary EraAn Analysis From the BCIS Database (British Cardiovascular Intervention Society). J Am Coll Cardiol Intv 2014;7(12):1374-1385
- Abstract: Harbarth. Randomized non-inferiority trial to compare trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole plus rifampicin versus linezolid for the treatment of MRSA infection. J Antimicrob Chemother 2014;70:264-272
- Full Text: Weijs. Early high protein intake is associated with low mortality and energy overfeeding with high mortality in non-septic mechanically ventilated critically ill patients. Critical Care 2014;18:701
- Full Text: Roberts. Mechanism of action of tranexamic acid in bleeding trauma patients: an exploratory analysis of data from the CRASH-2 trial. Critical Care 2014;18:685
Guidelines & Position Statements
Case Reports
- Verde. An old woman with pressure ulcer, rigidity, and opisthotonus: never forget tetanus! Lancet 2014;384(9961):2266
- Simpao. Images in Anesthesiology: Inversion of the Right Hemidiaphragm due to Massive Hemothorax after Central Line Placement. Anesthesiology 2015;122:190
Editorials
Clinical
- Ronco. Standard Nomenclature for Renal Replacement Therapy in Acute Kidney Injury: Very Much Needed! Blood Purif 2014;38:I-II
- The Lancet. Ebola: protection of health-care workers. Lancet 2014;384(9961):2174
- Barron. Death: Past, present, and future. J Crit Care 2015;30:214–215
- Hendrickson. Biology and pathology of fibroproliferation following the acute respiratory distress syndrome. Intensive Care Med 2015;41(1):147-150
- Bakker. Evaluation of 7.5 years of Surviving Sepsis Campaign Guidelines. Intensive Care Med 2015;41(1):151-153
- Singer. Nutrition in the ICU: proof of the pudding is in the tasting. Intensive Care Med 2015;41(1):154-156
- Mimoz. Continuous administration of linezolid in pneumonia: what is the level of proof? Intensive Care Med 2015;41(1):157-159
Non-Clinical
- Fletcher. Ethical approval for all studies involving human participants. CMAJ 2014;epublished December 15th
- The Lancet. Antimicrobial resistance: in terms politicians understand. Lancet 2014;384(84):2173
Commentaries
Clinical
- Smith. What’s new in subarachnoid hemorrhage. Intensive Care Med 2014;41(1):123-126
- Birjmohun. An update on the 27th Annual ESICM congress: Hot Topics session. Neth J Crit Care 2014;18(6):30-3
- Kuiper. Major trials presented at the ESICM LIVES in Barcelona, 29 and 30 September 2014. Neth J Crit Care 2014;18(6):34-6
- Shuchman. Sierra Leone doctors call for better Ebola care for colleagues. Lancet 2014;384(9961):e67
- Epstein. Infectious disease: Mobilizing Ebola survivors to curb the epidemic. Nature 2014;516(7531):323-5
- Mocco. Endovascular therapy for acute ischemic stroke is indicated and evidence based: a position statement. J NeuroIntervent Surg 2014;epublished December 18th
- Wanderer. Perioperative Transfusion: A Complicated Story. Anesthesiology 2015;122:A23 (full text until January 15th)
Non-Clinical
- Becker. Remembering Sir William Osler 100 years after his death: what can we learn from his legacy? Lancet 2014;384(9961):2260–2263 (free registration required)
- Riesel. Wakley Prize Essay - On seeing Roses. Lancet 2014;384(9961):2264–2265 (free registration required)
- Green. Remembering health workers who died from Ebola in 2014. Lancet 2014;384(9961):2201–2206
- Fortin. Is the Standard Supplied by the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation the Measure of All Things for Noninvasive Continuous Hemodynamic Devices? Anesthesiology 2015;122:208-209 (full text until January 15th)
- In Reply: Cannesson. Anesthesiology 2015;122:209-210 (full text until January 15th)
- Maxwell. Inotrope Use in Cardiac Surgery: A Cause of Worse Outcomes, or Just a Marker of Patients Who Are at Risk? Anesthesiology 2015;122:210-211(full text until January 15th)
- In Reply: Nielsen. Anesthesiology 2015;122:211-213 (full text until January 15th)
- Volpicelli. Interpreting lung ultrasound B-lines in acute respiratory failure. Chest 2014;146(6):e230
- Bianchi. What is “severe burnout” and can its prevalence be assessed? Intensive Care Med 2015;41:166
- Jarosz. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in severe accidental hypothermia. Intensive Care Med 2015;41:169-170
- Saigal. Comment on Debaty et al.: Impact of intra-arrest therapeutic hypothermia in outcomes of prehospital cardiac arrest: a randomized controlled trial. Intensive Care Med 2015;41:171
Clinical Review Articles
Neurological
- Appleton. The incidence of intensive care unit-acquired weakness syndromes: A systematic review. JICS 2014;epublished December 18th
- Durga. Neurological deterioration during intubation in cervical spine disorders. Indian J Anaesth 2014;58:684-92
- Asaithambi. Isolated middle cerebral artery dissection: a systematic review. International Journal of Emergency Medicine 2014;7:44
Circulatory
- Lee. Pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators. Update in Anaesthetsia 2014;29:10-13
- den Uil. The intra-aortic balloon pump keeps pumping, but in selected patients. Neth J Crit Care 2014;18(6):9-13
- Lima. Circulatory shock and peripheral circulatory failure: a historical perspective. Neth J Crit Care 2014;18(6):14-8
- Fukuhara. Left atrial dissection: an almost unknown entity. Interact CardioVasc Thorac Surg 2015;20(1):96-100
- Palmers. From therapeutic hypothermia towards targeted temperature management: a decade of evolution. Anaesthesiol Intensive Ther 2015;epublished ahead of print
Respiratory
- DiBardino. Aspiration pneumonia: A review of modern trends. J Crit Care 2015;30(1):40–48
- Biffen. Apnoea and pre-oxygenation. Update in Anaesthetsia 2014;29:20-23
- Cornet. Anticoagulants for ARDS: facts and future. Neth J Crit Care 2014;18(6):3-8
Gastrointestinal
- Regli. Fluid therapy and perfusional considerations during resuscitation in critically ill patients with intra-abdominal hypertension. Anaesthesiol Intensive Ther 2015;epublished ahead of print
- De Keulenaer. What’s new in medical management strategies for raised intra-abdominal pressure: evacuating intra-abdominal contents, improving abdominal wall compliance, pharmacotherapy, and continuous negative extra-abdominal pressure. Anaesthesiol Intensive Ther 2015;epublished ahead of print
- Costa. Multidetector computed tomography of mesenteric ischaemia. Insights into Imaging 2014;5(6):657-666
Hepatobiliary
Renal
- Lisowska-Myjak. Uremic Toxins and Their Effects on Multiple Organ Systems. Nephron Clin Pract 2014;epublished December 19th
- Pazhayattil. Drug-induced impairment of renal function. International Journal of Nephrology and Renovascular Disease 2014;7:457-468
Haematological
- Boisen. Pretransfusion Testing and Transfusion of Uncrossmatched Erythrocytes. Anesthesiology 2015;122:191-195 (open access until January 15th)
- Wandt. Platelet Transfusion in Hematology, Oncology and Surgery. Dtsch Arztebl Int 2014;111(48):809-15
Sepsis
- Olupot-Olupot. Ebola in children: Epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis and outcomes. Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal 2014;epublished December 17th
- Burd. Ebola Virus: a Clear and Present Danger. J Clin Microbiol 2015;53:4-8
- Lübbert. Clostridium Difficile Infection: Guideline-Based Diagnosis and Treatment. Dtsch Arztebl Int 2014;111(43):723-31
Trauma
Perioperative
- Durieux. Expanding your anaesthetic technique: an overview on the efficacy of using a lidocaine infusion as part of a balanced anaesthetic. Update in Anaesthetsia 2014;29:24-27
- Sood. Perioperative management of patients with coronary stents for non-cardiac surgery. Update in Anaesthetsia 2014;29:28-31
- Nethathe. Traditional medicine use and the anaesthetist. South Afr J Anaesth Analg 2014;20(6):220-224
Miscellaneous
- Squara. Metrology in Medicine: From Measurements to Decision, with Specific Reference to Anesthesia and Intensive Care. Anesth Analg 2015;120(1):66–75
- Thompson. Aeromedical transfer for the critically ill patient - an introduction and best practice clinical overview. Update in Anaesthetsia 2014;29:40-43
- Hutchins. Cerebral challenge 1. Update in Anaesthetsia 2014;29:53-57
- George. Cerebral challenge 2. Update in Anaesthetsia 2014;29:58-63
Non-Clinical Review Articles
Basic Science Review Articles
- Meng. Regulation of Cerebral Autoregulation by Carbon Dioxide. Anesthesiology 2015;122:196-205 (open access until January 15th)
- Knight. An overview of metabolism. Update in Anaesthetsia 2014;29:14-19
- Woodgate. Statistics for anaesthetists. Update in Anaesthetsia 2014;29:32-39
I hope you find these links useful.
Until next week
Rob