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Critical Care

May 3, 2014
For those of you anticipating the need to perform an emergency cricothyroidotomy outside of a medical setting, this article will guide you to the best pen to use for this purpose. [Spoiler alert: Baron retractable ballpoint and BIC soft feel jumbo]
April 24, 2014
The authors, well-known experts in critical care medicine, provide a detailed and usedful overview of critical illness polyneuropathy.  This affects 25% to 100% of ICU patients and is associated with impaired recovery after cricial illness.
April 14, 2014
This study evaluated the use of ultrasound to assess diaphragm thickening, rather than diaphragm motion, to predict extubation success.  Measurements were made in 63 ventilated patients, end-expiration and end-inspiration differences in thickness during spontaneous breathing were calculated, and the outcome was extubation within 48 hr.  The ROC AUC w
April 8, 2014
This is a free app that collates thousands of new stories and abstracts from peer reviewed journal and news organisations. It also has a forum area and has cardiology and surgery sections.  Nothing to do with CTSNet, but it is free so might be worth a look 
April 2, 2014
This meta-analysis of 18 randomized trials investigated the risk of infection related to blood transfusions given according to liberal or restrictive criteria. The restrictive strategy (Hgb <7) was associated with an 18% reduction in the risk of serious infection (11.8% vs 16.9%).
March 24, 2014
Joel Dunning visits with Timothy M. Scanlan, Scanlan International President & Chief Executive Officer, and Brigid Scanlan Eiynck, Scanlan International Vice President, Surgical Instruments. In the interview, Mr. Dunning reviews the Scanlan family’s unique history, dedication to quality, and fascinating relationships over the years.
March 18, 2014
This study randomized severely septic patients to either 20% albumin or crystalloid for resuscitation, with a primary outcome of mortality at 28 days.  During the first week the albumin pts had a higher MAP and lower net fluid balance.  Total administered fluids did not differ between the groups.  Morality was similar at 28 and 90 days, and the rate
March 18, 2014
This randomized trial assigned septic pts to resuscitation with a MAP goal of 80-85 mm Hg or 65-70 mm Hg.  There was no difference in mortality at 30 or 90 days.  Afib was more common in the high goal pts, and high goal pts with chronic hypertension required less renal replacement therapy.
March 15, 2014
This meta-analysis evaluated the 4 new oral anticoagulants and compared their efficacy and side-effects to those of warfarin using results from randomized trials of treatment of afib.  Outcomes in nearly 72,000 recipients were evaluated, including stroke, embolic events, mortality, MI, and bleeding.  The newer anticoagulants reduced stroke risk by 19

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