Other bulletins in this series include:

Breast Surgery

Monday 16 December 2013

Procalcitonin as a marker of sepsis and outcome in patients with neurotrauma

Procalcitonin as a marker of sepsis and outcome in patients with neurotrauma: An observation study. BMC Anesthesiology, Dec 2013, 13:48.

Deng, S., et al.

http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1471-2253-13-48.pdf

Procalcitonin (PCT) is a reliable biomarker of sepsis and infection. The level of PCT 
associated with sepsis and infection in patients with traumatic brain injury is currently 
unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the value of PCT and C-reactive 
protein (CRP) as diagnostic markers of sepsis and to evaluate the prognostic value of these 
markers related to the severity of injury, sepsis and mortality

A survey of the attitudes and perceptions of multidisciplinary team members towards family presence at bedside rounds in the intensive care unit

A survey of the attitudes and perceptions of multidisciplinary team members towards family presence at bedside rounds in the intensive care unit. Intensive and critical care nursing, Feb 2014, Vol. 30(1), p.13-21.

Santiago, C., et al.

http://www.intensivecriticalcarenursing.com/article/S0964-3397(13)00067-0/abstract?rss=yes

Objective: To describe the attitudes and perceptions of intensive care unit (ICU) staff [critical care physicians and fellows (MDs), registered nurses (RNs), allied health discipline (HD) and managers] towards family presence at bedside rounds. We developed, tested and administered a questionnaire to the multidisciplinary staff.

Prediction of death in less than 60 minutes following withdrawal of cardiorespiratory support in ICUs

Prediction of death in less than 60 minutes following withdrawal of cardiorespiratory support in ICUs. Critical care medicine, Dec 2013, Vol. 41(12), p.2677-87.

Brieva, J., et al.

http://journals.lww.com/ccmjournal/Abstract/2013/12000/Prediction_of_Death_in_Less_Than_60_Minutes.2.aspx

Half of all ICU patients die within 60 minutes of withdrawal of cardiorespiratory support. Prediction of which patients die before and after 60 minutes would allow changes in service organization to improve patient palliation, family grieving, and allocation of ICU beds. This study tested various predictors of death within 60 minutes and explored which clinical variables ICU specialists used to make their prediction.


Understanding changes in established practice: Pulmonary artery catheter use in critically ill patients

Understanding changes in established practice: Pulmonary artery catheter use in critically ill patients. Critical care medicine, Dec 2013, Vol. 41(12), p.2667-76.

Gershengorn, H.B., and Wunsch, H.

http://journals.lww.com/ccmjournal/Abstract/2013/12000/Understanding_Changes_in_Established_Practice__.1.aspx

Multiple studies suggest that routine use of pulmonary artery catheters is not beneficial in critically ill patients. Little is known about the patterns of “uptake” of practice change that involves removal of a device previously considered standard of care, rather than adoption of a new technique or technology. Our objective was to assess recent pulmonary artery catheter use across ICUs and identify factors associated with high use.


Association between systemic hemodynamics and septic acute kidney injury in critically ill patients

Association between systemic hemodynamics and septic acute kidney injury in critically ill patients: A retrospective observational study. Critical care, Dec 2013, Vol. 17(6), R278.

Legrand, M., et al.

http://ccforum.com/content/17/6/R278/abstract

The role of systemic hemodynamics in the pathogenesis of septic acute kidney injury (AKI) has received little attention. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between systemic hemodynamics and new or persistent of AKI in severe sepsis.

Optimal dosing of antibiotics in critically ill patients using continuous/extended infusions

Optimal dosing of antibiotics in critically ill patients using continous/extended infusions: A systematic review and meta-analysis.  Critical care, Dec 2013, Vol. 17(6), R279.

Chant, C., et al.

http://ccforum.com/content/17/6/R279/abstract

The aim of this study was to determine whether using pharmacodynamic-based dosing of antimicrobials such as extended/continuous infusions in critically ill patients is associated with improved outcomes as compared to traditional dosing methods.

Diagnosis and management of temperature abnormality in ICUs

Diagnosis and management of temperature abnormality in ICUs: A EUROBACT investigators survey. Critical care, Dec 2013, Vol. 13(6), R289.

Niven, D., et al.

http://ccforum.com/content/17/6/R289/abstract

Although fever and hypothermia are common abnormal physical signs observed in patients admitted to intensive care units (ICU), little data exists on their optimal management. The objective of this study was to describe contemporary practices and determinants of management of temperature abnormalities among patients admitted to ICUs.

Sustained high serum malondialdehyde levels are associated with severity and mortality in septic patients

Sustained high serum malondaildehyde levels are associated with severity and mortality in septic patients.  Critical care, Dec 2013, Vol. 17(6), R290.

Lorente, L., et al.

http://ccforum.com/content/17/6/R290/abstract

There is a hyperoxidative state in sepsis. The objective of this study was to determine serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels during the first week of follow up, whether such levels are associated with severity during the first week and whether non-surviving patients showed higher MDA levels than survivors during the first week.

Metformin improves survival in intensive care unit patients, by why?

Metformin improves survival in intensive care unit patients, by why?  Critical care, Dec 2013, 17:471

Riksen, N.P., et al

http://ccforum.com/content/pdf/cc13156.pdf


Procalcitonin-guided therapy in intensive care unit patients with severe sepsis and septic shock

Procalcitonin-guided therapy in intensive care unit patients with severe sepsis and septic shock: A systematic review and meta analysis. Critical care, Dec 2013, Vol. 17(6): R291

Prkno, A., et al.

http://ccforum.com/content/17/6/R291/abstract

Procalcitonin (PCT) algorithms for antibiotic treatment decisions have been studied in adult patients from primary care, emergency department, and intensive care unit (ICU) settings, suggesting that procalcitonin-guided therapy may reduce antibiotic exposure without increasing the mortality rate. However, information on the efficacy and safety of this approach in the most vulnerable population of critically ill patients with severe sepsis and septic shock is missing.