Evaluating the Utility of High Sensitivity Troponin in Blunt Cardiac Injury.

Introduction: Screening for blunt cardiac injury (BCI) includes obtaining a serum troponin level and an electrocardiogram for patients diagnosed with a sternal fracture. Our institution has transitioned to the use of a high sensitivity troponin I (hsTnI). The aim of this study was to determine whether hsTnI is comparable to troponin I (TnI) in identifying clinically significant BCI.

Assessment of Detectable Serum Tobramycin Concentrations in Patients Receiving Inhaled Tobramycin for Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia.

Background: Inhaled tobramycin can be used for empiric or definitive therapy of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in mechanically ventilated patients. This is believed to minimize systemic exposure and potential adverse drug toxicities including acute kidney injury (AKI). However, detectable serum tobramycin concentrations have been reported after inhaled tobramycin therapy with AKI.

Evaluation of Vasopressor Exposure and Mortality in Patients With Septic Shock.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to: 1) determine the association between vasopressor dosing intensity during the first 6 hours and first 24 hours after the onset of septic shock and 30-day in-hospital mortality; 2) determine whether the effect of vasopressor dosing intensity varies by fluid resuscitation volume; and 3) determine whether the effect of vasopressor dosing intensity varies by dosing titration pattern.

Design: Multicenter prospective cohort study between September 2017 and February 2018. Vasopressor dosing intensity was defined as the total vasopressor dose infused across all vasopressors in norepinephrine equivalents.

Variation in Fluid and Vasopressor Use in Shock With and Without Physiologic Assessment: A Multicenter Observational Study.

Objectives: To characterize the association between the use of physiologic assessment (central venous pressure, pulmonary artery occlusion pressure, stroke volume variation, pulse pressure variation, passive leg raise test, and critical care ultrasound) with fluid and vasopressor administration 24 hours after shock onset and with in-hospital mortality.

Design: Multicenter prospective cohort study between September 2017 and February 2018.

Settings: Thirty-four hospitals in the United States and Jordan.

Retrospective Evaluation of Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in Elderly, High-Risk Trauma Patients.

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk increases with age. Scarce data exist for patients age ≥65 y. This study evaluated VTE incidence in elderly, high-risk trauma patients receiving unfractionated heparin (UFH) or enoxaparin chemoprophylaxis.