The definition of predictor and outcome variables in mortality prediction models: a scoping review and quality of reporting study.

Background And Objectives: Mortality prediction models are promising tools for guiding clinical decision-making and resource allocation in intensive care units (ICUs). Clearly specified predictor and outcome variables are necessary to enable external validation and safe clinical application of prediction models. The objective of this study was to identify the predictor and outcome variables used in different mortality prediction models in the ICU and investigate their reporting.

Boosting the accuracy of existing models by updating and extending: using a multicenter COVID-19 ICU cohort as a proxy.

Most published prediction models for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) were poorly reported, at high risk of bias, and heterogeneous in model performance. To tackle methodological challenges faced in previous prediction studies, we investigated whether model updating and extending improves mortality prediction, using the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) as a proxy. All COVID-19 patients admitted to seven ICUs in the Euregio-Meuse Rhine during the first pandemic wave were included.

Facial appearance associates with longitudinal multi-organ failure: an ICU cohort study.

Background: Facial appearance, whether consciously or subconsciously assessed, may affect clinical assessment and treatment strategies in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Nevertheless, the association between objective clinical measurement of facial appearance and multi-organ failure is currently unknown. The objective of this study was to examine whether facial appearance at admission is associated with longitudinal evaluation of multi-organ failure.

Genetic association studies in critically ill patients: protocol for a systematic review.

Introduction: Patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) are highly heterogeneous in characteristics, their clinical course, and outcomes. Genetic variability may partly explain the variability and similarity in disease courses observed among critically ill patients and may identify clusters of subgroups. The aim of this study is to conduct a systematic review of all genetic association studies of critically ill patients with their outcomes.

External Validation of Mortality Prediction Models for Critical Illness Reveals Preserved Discrimination but Poor Calibration.

Objectives: In a recent scoping review, we identified 43 mortality prediction models for critically ill patients. We aimed to assess the performances of these models through external validation.

Design: Multicenter study.

Right ventricular strain measurements in critically ill patients: an observational SICS sub-study.

Background: Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction is common in critically ill patients and is associated with poor outcomes. RV function is usually evaluated by Tricuspid Annular Plane Systolic Excursion (TAPSE) which can be obtained using critical care echocardiography (CCE). Myocardial deformation imaging, measuring strain, is suitable for advanced RV function assessment and has widely been studied in cardiology.

Calculated left ventricular outflow tract diameter for critically ill patients.

A fast and reliable left ventricular outflow diameter (LVOTd) estimation may aid in quickly estimating cardiac output. However, obtaining a correct LVOTd can be difficult in intensive care patients, potentially leading to errors and a cardiac output deviation. In this study, the measured LVOTd was compared with the expected LVOTd when estimated using an existing formula in 1177 critically ill patients.

The simple observational critical care studies: estimations by students, nurses, and physicians of in-hospital and 6-month mortality.

Background: Prognostic assessments of the mortality of critically ill patients are frequently performed in daily clinical practice and provide prognostic guidance in treatment decisions. In contrast to several sophisticated tools, prognostic estimations made by healthcare providers are always available and accessible, are performed daily, and might have an additive value to guide clinical decision-making. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of students', nurses', and physicians' estimations and the association of their combined estimations with in-hospital mortality and 6-month follow-up.

Temporal artery temperature measurements versus bladder temperature in critically ill patients, a prospective observational study.

Purpose: Accurate measurement of body temperature is important for the timely detection of fever or hypothermia in critically ill patients. In this prospective study, we evaluated whether the agreement between temperature measurements obtained with TAT (test method) and bladder catheter-derived temperature measurements (BT; reference method) is sufficient for clinical practice in critically ill patients.

Methods: Patients acutely admitted to the Intensive Care Unit were included.

Bundled care in acute kidney injury in critically ill patients, a before-after educational intervention study.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) often occurs in critically ill patients. AKI is associated with mortality and morbidity. Interventions focusing on the reduction of AKI are suggested by the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes guideline.

Non-invasive oscillometric versus invasive arterial blood pressure measurements in critically ill patients: A post hoc analysis of a prospective observational study.

Purpose: The aim was to compare non-invasive blood pressure measurements with invasive blood pressure measurements in critically ill patients.

Methods: Non-invasive blood pressure was measured via automated brachial cuff oscillometry, and simultaneously the radial arterial catheter-derived measurement was recorded as part of a prospective observational study. Measurements of systolic arterial pressure (SAP), diastolic arterial pressure (DAP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were compared using Bland-Altman and error grid analyses.

Should the ultrasound probe replace your stethoscope? A SICS-I sub-study comparing lung ultrasound and pulmonary auscultation in the critically ill.

Background: In critically ill patients, auscultation might be challenging as dorsal lung fields are difficult to reach in supine-positioned patients, and the environment is often noisy. In recent years, clinicians have started to consider lung ultrasound as a useful diagnostic tool for a variety of pulmonary pathologies, including pulmonary edema. The aim of this study was to compare lung ultrasound and pulmonary auscultation for detecting pulmonary edema in critically ill patients.