Original Investigation July 27, 2021 Effect of 7 vs 14 Days of Antibiotic Therapy on Resolution of Symptoms Among Afebrile Men With Urinary Tract Infection: A Randomized Clinical Trial Dimitri M. Drekonja, Barbara Trautner, Carla Amundson, et al JAMA. 2021;326(4):324-331. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.9899 Abstract Importance  Determination of optimal treatment durations for common infectious diseases is an important strategy to preserve an...

Effect of Vitamin D in Patients with Moderate to Severe COVID-19 A clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of a single high dose of vitamin D3 on hospital length of stay among hospitalised patients with moderate to severe COVID-19.  Vitamin D is believed to enhance innate and adaptive immunity. A deficiency of vitamin D is known to be a potential risk for non-communicable and acute respiratory tract diseases, including viral infections. During ...

Original Investigation July 27, 2021 Effect of a Hospital and Postdischarge Quality Improvement Intervention on Clinical Outcomes and Quality of Care for Patients With Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction: The CONNECT-HF Randomized Clinical Trial Adam D. DeVore, Bradi B. Granger, Gregg C. Fonarow, et al JAMA. 2021;326(4):314-323. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.8844 Abstract Importance  Adoption of guideline-directed medical therapy for patient...

ICU Management & Practice, Volume 21 - Issue 2, 2021 Intensive Care Physiotherapists Should be Using Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) An overview of the potential of POCUS on clinical decision making at the bedside and the need to add it as a new diagnostic tool by intensive care physiotherapists. Introduction Intensive care physiotherapists often rely on standard assessment tools, such as measures of physiological function (arterial blood gases)...

ORIGINAL ARTICLE Abelacimab for Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism Peter Verhamme, B. Alexander Yi, Annelise Segers, et al N Engl J Med July 19, 2021DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2105872 Abstract BACKGROUND The role of factor XI in the pathogenesis of postoperative venous thromboembolism is uncertain. Abelacimab is a monoclonal antibody that binds to factor XI and locks it in the zymogen (inactive precursor) conformation. METHODS In this open-label, paralle...

Editorial August 10, 2021 Does Crystalloid Composition or Rate of Fluid Administration Make a Difference When Resuscitating Patients in the ICU? Michael J. Connor Jr, Craig M. Coopersmith JAMA. Published online August 10, 2021. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.11119 Administration of intravenous fluids is among the most common interventions performed in intensive care units (ICUs). The first description of fluids for resuscitation of a critically ill patie...

Original Investigation July 16, 2021 Effect of Oral Azithromycin vs Placebo on COVID-19 Symptoms in Outpatients With SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Randomized Clinical Trial Catherine E. Oldenburg, Benjamin A. Pinsky, Jessica Brogdon, et al JAMA. Published online July 16, 2021. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.11517 Abstract Importance  Azithromycin has been hypothesized to have activity against SARS-CoV-2. Objective  To determine whethe...

Original Investigation August 10, 2021 Effect of Slower vs Faster Intravenous Fluid Bolus Rates on Mortality in Critically Ill Patients: The BaSICS Randomized Clinical Trial Fernando G. Zampieri, Flávia R. Machado, Rodrigo S. Biondi, et al JAMA. Published online August 10, 2021. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.11444 Abstract Importance  Slower intravenous fluid infusion rates could reduce the formation of tissue edema and organ dysfunction in...

Original Investigation July 20, 2021 Effect of Canakinumab vs Placebo on Survival Without Invasive Mechanical Ventilation in Patients Hospitalized With Severe COVID-19: A Randomized Clinical Trial Roberto Caricchio, Antonio Abbate, Ivan Gordeev, et al JAMA. 2021;326(3):230-239. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.9508 Abstract Importance  Effective treatments for patients with severe COVID-19 are needed. Objective  To evaluate the efficacy of canakinuma...

ORIGINAL ARTICLE Milrinone as Compared with Dobutamine in the Treatment of Cardiogenic Shock Rebecca Mathew, Pietro Di Santo, Richard G. Jung, et al N Engl J Med 2021; 385:516-525DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2026845 Abstract BACKGROUND Cardiogenic shock is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Although inotropic support is a mainstay of medical therapy for cardiogenic shock, little evidence exists to guide the selection of inotropic agents in clinic...