Biomarkers in Acute Kidney Injury: MARKISIO Study In ICU Thu, 22 May 2025 Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) in critically ill patients carries high morbidity and mortality, especially when renal replacement therapy (RRT) is needed. Despite interest in using biomarkers to predict the need for RRT, reliable tools remain lacking. Previous studies, including the RUBY trial, explored biomarkers for persistent AKI but not specifically for predicting RRT necessity. M...

Tocilizumab, Sarilumab and Anakinra in Critically Ill Patients With COVID-19 In ICU Thu, 22 May 2025 Both corticosteroids and interleukin-6 receptor antagonists (IL-6ra) -  tocilizumab and sarilumab - improve survival and reduce organ support needs in hospitalised COVID-19 patients, but their comparative effectiveness is unclear. Alternative treatments may be needed due to drug access issues.  Interleukin-1 (IL-1), involved in acute inflam...

Editorials The pitfalls of diagnostic self-tests Jessica Watson, Margaret McCartney BMJ 2025; 390 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.r1476 (Published 23 July 2025)Cite this as: BMJ 2025;390:r1476 Tests should be clinically useful and part of an evidence based pathway Rapid advances in diagnostic technology, coupled with persuasive advertising, have resulted in a surge of direct-to-consumer self-tests, often sold under the banner of “wellness.” Marketed as too...

Deciphering Sepsis: Transforming Diagnosis and Treatment In Sepsis Mon, 17 Feb 2025 Sepsis is a major but often overlooked cause of death and disability. In 2017, there were an estimated 48.9 million cases of sepsis, causing 11 million deaths worldwide. Sepsis is more common in lower-income regions, and its incidence is expected to rise as populations age. Severe forms of sepsis, such as septic shock, have high mortality rates, and even survivors face ...

GAME-OVER Study: Discarded Intravenous Medication in the ICU In ICU Mon, 24 Feb 2025 Healthcare systems contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and environmental pollution. Climate change is affecting human health, prompting healthcare professionals to adopt more sustainable practices. Pharmaceuticals play a major role in healthcare-related emissions, with their supply chain depleting natural resources and contributing to global warming...

Invited Commentary  Public Health Lung Cancer Screening in Lower-Risk Individuals—Less Can Be More Carl Martin Tammemägi JAMA Netw Open 2025;8;(7):e2523050. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.23050 Although evidence demonstrating the efficacy of computed tomographic lung screening (CTLS) is established, global uptake of CTLS has been slow, and the optimal methods of implementing CTLS have not been determined and may vary in different populations. One of ...

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in ICU Survivors In ICU Mon, 12 May 2025 Survival rates in intensive care have improved, but about 20% of ICU survivors develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which often goes undiagnosed and can severely impact quality of life, work, and health. Contributing factors include life-threatening experiences, invasive treatments, isolation, and loss of control. Early screening and targeted interventions are crucial to ...

Phosphate-Sparing Solution to Prevent Hypophosphataemia in Patients Undergoing CRRT In ICU Tue, 20 May 2025 ICU Management & Practice, Volume 25 - Issue 2, 2025 Phosphate-based solutions used during continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) significantly reduce the incidence of hypophosphataemia in critically ill patients. These solutions are safe, improve phosphate balance, and may shorten ICU stay and ventilation duration, though further multice...

Noninvasive Ventilation vs High-Flow Nasal Oxygen After Extubation In ICU Mon, 12 May 2025 In ICUs, extubation decisions are challenging, as 20-30% of patients experience post-extubation respiratory failure, with 10-15% requiring reintubation. Reintubation has high mortality rates and is a key patient outcome in the post-extubation period.  Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) and high-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) therapies, when applied immediately after...

Pathophysiological Role and Management of Carbon Dioxide in Acute Brain Injury In ICU Mon, 12 May 2025 Maintaining proper cerebral oxygen delivery is crucial for preventing secondary ischaemic injury in patients with acute brain injuries (ABI). Arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO₂) significantly influences cerebral blood flow (CBF). When intracranial pressure (ICP) is not elevated, adjusting PaCO₂ to an optimal level can support sufficient cerebral o...