Etomidate versus ketamine for emergency endotracheal intubation: a randomized clinical trial.

Purpose: Etomidate and ketamine are hemodynamically stable induction agents often used to sedate critically ill patients during emergency endotracheal intubation. In 2015, quality improvement data from our hospital suggested a survival benefit at Day 7 from avoidance of etomidate in critically ill patients during emergency intubation. In this clinical trial, we hypothesized that randomization to ketamine instead of etomidate would be associated with Day 7 survival after emergency endotracheal intubation.

Airway Pressure Release Ventilation: A Review of the Evidence, Theoretical Benefits, and Alternative Titration Strategies.

Objective: To review the theoretical benefits of airway pressure release ventilation (APRV), summarize the evidence for its use in clinical practice, and discuss different titration strategies.

Data Source: Published randomized controlled trials in humans, observational human studies, animal studies, review articles, ventilator textbooks, and editorials.

Data Summary: Airway pressure release ventilation optimizes alveolar recruitment, reduces airway pressures, allows for spontaneous breathing, and offers many hemodynamic benefits.

Aortic valve endocarditis from infection.

Staphylococci, streptococci, and enterococci are frequently associated with endocarditis, but numerous complex and diverse species exist among the three groups and identification of specific pathogens can aid in treatment. One particular organism, , is rarely described in the literature as a human pathogen and is more commonly identified among certain bird groups. We present the first documented case of human infective endocarditis in the USA, representing only the fourth case worldwide.

Apneic Oxygenation With High-Flow Nasal Cannula and Transcutaneous Carbon Dioxide Monitoring During Airway Surgery: A Case Series.

Three patients underwent laryngeal and tracheal surgeries under apneic conditions using transnasal humidified rapid-insufflation ventilatory exchange. Transcutaneous carbon dioxide (CO2) levels were recorded throughout the apneic period to detect rates of CO2 rise. Conventional airway management was initiated after 15 minutes of apnea with either tracheal intubation or jet ventilation.