Self-Learning Videos in Focused Transthoracic Echocardiography Training.

Background: Focused transthoracic echocardiography (FOTE) is crucial for patients' bedside management. However, limited opportunities exist for practical FOTE training, prompting the use of simulation and self-learning videos to overcome this constraint. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of incorporating self-learning videos into a simulation FOTE training course.

Ceftobiprole and Cefiderocol for Patients on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: The Role of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring.

Introduction: Limited data exist on therapeutic ranges for newer antimicrobials in the critically ill, with few pharmacokinetic studies including patients undergoing renal replacement therapy or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

Case Representation: These interventions can potentially alter the pharmacokinetic profile of antibiotics, resulting in therapeutic failures, antimicrobial resistance, or increased toxicity. In this report, we present two ECMO patients treated with cefiderocol and ceftobiprole, where therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) aided in the successful treatment of severe infections.

Echocardiographic Findings in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients Treated With and Without Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

Objectives: To describe echocardiographic findings among mechanically ventilated patients with COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome, comparing those with and without venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) support.

Design: Single-center, retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Intensive care unit (ICU) of a quaternary academic center.

Head-to-toe bedside ultrasound for adult patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Bedside ultrasound represents a well-suited diagnostic and monitoring tool for patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) who may be too unstable for transport to other hospital areas for diagnostic tests. The role of ultrasound, however, starts even before ECMO initiation. Every patient considered for ECMO should have a thorough ultrasonographic assessment of cardiac and valvular function, as well as vascular anatomy without delaying ECMO cannulation.

Pharmacokinetic Alterations Associated with Critical Illness.

Haemodynamic, metabolic, and biochemical derangements in critically ill patients affect drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics making dose optimisation particularly challenging. Appropriate therapeutic dosing depends on the knowledge of the physiologic changes caused by the patient's comorbidities, underlying disease, resuscitation strategies, and polypharmacy. Critical illness will result in altered drug protein binding, ionisation, and volume of distribution; it will also decrease oral drug absorption, intestinal and hepatic metabolism, and renal clearance.

Transesophageal Echocardiography-Guided Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Cannulation in COVID-19 Patients.

Objectives: A paucity of data supports the use of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for bedside extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) cannulation. Concerns have been raised about performing TEEs in patients with COVID-19. The authors describe the use and safety of TEE guidance for ECMO cannulation for COVID-19.

Point-of-Care Ultrasound: A Case Series of Potential Pitfalls.

• Integration of POCUS findings in the clinical context is crucial. • Valvular abnormalities may not be identified by POCUS. • Valvular disease should not be excluded based solely on a POCUS.

Monitoring during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Purpose Of Review: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) offers advanced mechanical support to patients with severe acute respiratory and/or cardiac failure. Ensuring an adequate therapeutic approach as well as prevention of ECMO-associated complications, by means of timely liberation, forms an essential part of standard ECMO care and is only achievable through continuous monitoring and evaluation. This review focus on the cardiorespiratory monitoring tools that can be used to assess and titrate adequacy of ECMO therapy; as well as methods to assess readiness to wean and/or discontinue ECMO support.