Low-dose clonidine infusion to improve sleep in postoperative patients in the high-dependency unit. A randomised placebo-controlled single-centre trial Liu, D., Hallt, E., Platz, A. et al. Intensive Care Med (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00134-024-07619-w Abstract Purpose Dexmedetomidine increases sleep and reduces delirium in postoperative patients, but it is expensive and requires a monitored environment. Clonidine, another 2-agonist, is cheaper a...

Using AI to Examine Brain Activity Following TBI In ICU Wed, 24 Jul 2024 Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have identified a potential alternative, less-invasive method for measuring intracranial pressure (ICP) in patients. The research is published in Computers in Biology and Medicine. ICP can abnormally increase due to conditions such as acute brain injury, stroke, or cerebrospinal fluid flow obstruction, leading to symptoms like headaches, bl...

Pressure control plus spontaneous ventilation versus volume assist-control ventilation in acute respiratory distress syndrome. A randomised clinical trial Richard, JC.M., Beloncle, F.M., Béduneau, G. et al. Intensive Care Med 50, 1647–1656 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00134-024-07612-3 Abstract Purpose The aim of this study was to compare the effect of a pressure-controlled strategy allowing non-synchronised unassisted spontaneous ventilation (PC-SV)...

ORIGINAL ARTICLE Antibiotic Treatment for 7 versus 14 Days in Patients with Bloodstream Infections The BALANCE Investigators, for the Canadian Critical Care Trials Group, the Association of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Disease Canada Clinical Research Network, the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society Clinical Trials Group, and the Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases Clinical Research Network N Engl J Med Published November 20, 2024 ...

Invited Commentary  October 2, 2024 A Slow March Toward Eliminating Transfusion in Uro-Oncology Shawn Dason, Debasish Sundi, Akshay Sood JAMA Surg. Published online October 2, 2024. doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2024.4203 Radical cystectomy (RC) is a standard treatment for patients with bladder cancer. Despite decades of refinement in surgical technique, most patients undergoing RC will experience a surgical complication.1 Excessive surgical bloo...

Sepsis Alert Systems, Mortality, Adherence to SSC In Sepsis Wed, 24 Jul 2024 Sepsis is a global health issue with high mortality and morbidity rates among hospitalised patients. To enhance the quality of sepsis management, the Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC) developed an evidence-based bundle comprising five key elements to be implemented within the first hours of sepsis recognition. These elements include fluid resuscitation with 30 mL/kg of crystallo...

Original Investigation  October 2, 2024 Tranexamic Acid During Radical Cystectomy: A Randomized Clinical Trial Rodney H. Breau, Luke T. Lavallée, Ilias Cagiannos, et al JAMA Surg. Published online October 2, 2024. doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2024.4183 Key Points Question  Does intraoperative prophylactic tranexamic acid reduce blood transfusion in patients undergoing open radical cystectomy? Finding...

Research Letter  Pacific Coast Surgical Association September 25, 2024 Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Surgical Site Infection After Traumatic Hollow Viscus Injury Janelle Cyprich, Amy H. Kaji, Alexandra Moulton, et al JAMA Surg. Published online September 25, 2024. doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2024.3827 Surgical site infection (SSI) is a major cause of morbidity after trauma laparotomy. Hollow viscus injury (HVI) inc...

Invited Commentary  Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion September 24, 2024 The Glass Ceiling—Racial Disparities Among Emergency Medicine Chief Residents Alden M. Landry, Italo Brown JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(9):e2432606. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.32606 The role of a chief resident extends beyond a mere title; it is a gateway to opportunities and a stepping stone to leadership roles in both academic and community emergency medicine (EM) se...

Impact of Machine Learning on Predicting Clinical Deterioration In ICU Tue, 23 Jul 2024 Machine learning algorithms are transforming healthcare by enhancing the prediction of clinical deterioration. Despite their potential, real-world efficacy data remains limited. A recent study hypothesised that real-time machine learning-generated alerts, sent directly to front-line providers, could significantly reduce patient escalations. A recent article pub...