Methods for determining optimal positive end-expiratory pressure in patients undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation: a scoping review.

Purpose: There is significant variability in the application of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) in patients undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation. There are numerous studies assessing methods of determining optimal PEEP, but many methods, patient populations, and study settings lack high-quality evidence. Guidelines make no recommendations about the use of a specific method because of equipoise and lack of high-quality evidence.

Methods for determination of optimal positive end-expiratory pressure: a protocol for a scoping review.

Introduction: Titrated application of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) is an important part of any mechanical ventilation strategy. However, the method by which the optimal PEEP is determined and titrated varies widely. Methods for determining optimal PEEP have been assessed using a variety of different study designs and patient populations.

Risk Scores for Clinical Risk Stratification of Emergency Department Patients With Chest Pain but No Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Systematic Review.

Background: Chest pain is a common cause for emergency department (ED) presentations. After myocardial infarction (MI) has been ruled out by means of electrocardiography and troponin testing, decisions around anatomic or functional testing may be informed by clinical risk scores. We conducted a systematic review to synthesize evidence of the prognostic performance of chest pain risk scores among ED patients who have had MI ruled out by means of a high-sensitivity troponin assay.

Malignancy risk of hyperfunctioning thyroid nodules compared with non-toxic nodules: systematic review and a meta-analysis.

Background: Hyperfunctioning or hot nodules are thought to be rarely malignant. As such, current guidelines recommend that hot nodules be excluded from further malignancy risk stratification. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to compare the malignancy risk in hot nodules and non-toxic nodules in observational studies.

Rehabilitation therapies in Rett syndrome across the lifespan: A scoping review of human and animal studies.

Purpose: To perform a scoping review of the evidence for therapeutic interventions to manage functional impairments associated with Rett syndrome (RTT) throughout the lifespan.

Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CENTRAL, CINAHL, Scopus and Index to Chiropractic Literature were searched systematically up to December 2019. Two investigators independently reviewed all search results and extracted those that met the inclusion criteria.

Standardized Management for Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure and ARDS: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Treatment of hypoxemic respiratory failure (HRF) and ARDS is complex. Standardized management of HRF and ARDS may improve adherence to evidence-informed practice and improve outcomes.

Research Question: What is the effect of standardized treatment compared with usual care on survival of patients with HRF and ARDS?

Study Design And Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web-of-Science were searched (inception to 2018).

Systematic review and meta-analysis of cardiac involvement in mitochondrial myopathy.

Objective: Our goal was to perform a systematic review of the literature to demonstrate the prevalence of cardiac abnormalities identified using cardiac investigations in patients with mitochondrial myopathy (MM).

Methods: This systematic review surveys the available evidence for cardiac investigations in MM from a total of 21 studies including 825 participants. Data were stratified by genetic mutation and clinical syndrome.

Evaluation of interventions to improve electronic health record documentation within the inpatient setting: a protocol for a systematic review.

Background: Electronic health records (EHRs) are increasing in popularity across national and international healthcare systems. Despite their augmented availability and use, the quality of electronic health records is problematic. There are various reasons for poor documentation quality within the EHR, and efforts have been made to address these areas.

Effect of maternal mental health improvement programs on obesity in pediatric populations: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Childhood obesity has become a global epidemic irrespective of the socioeconomic status of a country or nation. Obesity increases the risk of various diseases in children, for example asthma, sleep apnea, bone and joint problems, type-2 diabetes, and heart problems. The existing literature informs us of the many factors associated with childhood obesity.

The Accuracy and Prognostic Value of Point-of-care Ultrasound for Nephrolithiasis in the Emergency Department: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Introduction: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has been suggested as an initial investigation in the management of renal colic. Our objectives were: 1) to determine the accuracy of POCUS for the diagnosis of nephrolithiasis and 2) to assess its prognostic value in the management of renal colic.

Methods: The review protocol was registered to the PROSPERO database (CRD42016035331).

The effect and safety of postmenopausal hormone therapy and selective estrogen receptor modulators on kidney outcomes in women: a protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The prevalence of menopause in women with or at risk of chronic kidney disease is increasing globally. Although international guidelines on menopause recommend the use of postmenopausal hormone therapy with or without selective estrogen receptor modulators for control of vasomotor symptoms, the effects of these treatments on kidney function and albuminuria are unclear. Furthermore, women with chronic kidney disease are at significantly increased risk of venous thromboembolism and malignancy, well-documented adverse effects of postmenopausal hormone therapy.

Intratracheal Administration of Budesonide-Surfactant in Prevention of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in Very Low Birth Weight Infants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Despite the near universal adaptation of gentle mechanical ventilation, surfactant use and non-invasive respiratory support, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) remains one of the most common respiratory morbidities in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. Thus, the objective of this review was to evaluate the efficacy of intra-tracheal administration of budesonide-surfactant mixture in preventing bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PubMed were searched for randomized clinical trials in which intra-tracheal administration of budesonide-surfactant was used to prevent BPD in infants.

Antenatal predictors of outcome in prenatally diagnosed congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).

Background: Pulmonary hypoplasia is the main cause of mortality in isolated congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and its prediction is paramount when counseling parents. We sought to identify antenatal parameters that predicted neonatal mortality in CDH.

Method: Search was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic reviews, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science on the ability of lung-to-head ratio (LHR), observed-to-expected LHR (o/e LHR), total fetal lung volume (TFLV), o/e TFLV, percentage predicted lung volume (PPLV) and degree of liver herniation to predict neonatal morbidity and mortality in fetuses with CDH.

Parenteral Fish-Oil Lipid Emulsions in the Prevention of Severe Retinopathy of Prematurity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

 Omega-3 fatty acids are vital for brain and retinal maturation. It is not clear if early use of ω-3 fatty acids in the form of fish-oil lipid emulsions (FLEs) prevents retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in preterm infants. The aim of this meta-analysis is to evaluate whether early administration of parenteral FLEs reduces ROP requiring laser therapy or severe ROP ≥stage 3 in preterm infants.

A Systematic Review of Psychiatric, Psychological, and Behavioural Outcomes following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Children and Adolescents.

Background: Evidence regarding longer-term psychiatric, psychological, and behavioural outcomes (for example, anxiety, mood disorders, depression, and attention disorders) following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) in children and adolescents has not been previously synthesized.

Objective: To conduct a systematic review of the available evidence examining psychiatric, psychological, and behavioural outcomes following mTBI in children and adolescents.

Materials And Methods: Nine electronic databases were systematically searched from 1980 to August 2014.

Inflammatory mediators in intra-abdominal sepsis or injury - a scoping review.

Introduction: Inflammatory and protein mediators (cytokine, chemokine, acute phase proteins) play an important, but still not completely understood, role in the morbidity and mortality of intra-abdominal sepsis/injury. We therefore systematically reviewed preclinical and clinical studies of mediators in intra-abdominal sepsis/injury in order to evaluate their ability to: (1) function as diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers; (2) serve as therapeutic targets; and (3) illuminate the pathogenesis mechanisms of sepsis or injury-related organ dysfunction.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library.

Clinical Presentation of Patients With Tension Pneumothorax: A Systematic Review.

Objective: To determine whether the reported clinical presentation of tension pneumothorax differs between patients who are breathing unassisted versus receiving assisted ventilation.

Background: Animal studies suggest that the pathophysiology and physical signs of tension pneumothorax differ by subject ventilatory status.

Methods: We searched electronic databases through to October 15, 2013 for observational studies and case reports/series reporting clinical manifestations of tension pneumothorax.

Arginine supplementation in prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis in the premature infant: an updated systematic review.

Background: Hypoxic-ischemic injury is thought to play a significant role in necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Nitric Oxide (NO) is the principal inhibitory neurotransmitter in the gut and is involved in regulation of mucosal blood flow and maintenance of mucosal integrity. NO is synthesized from L-arginine by NO synthases.

A protocol for a scoping and qualitative study to identify and evaluate indications for damage control surgery and damage control interventions in civilian trauma patients.

Introduction: Initial abbreviated surgery with planned reoperation (damage control surgery) is frequently used for major trauma patients to rapidly control haemorrhage while limiting surgical stress. Although damage control surgery may decrease mortality risk among the severely injured, it may also be associated with several complications when inappropriately applied. We seek to scope the literature on trauma damage control surgery, identify its proposed indications, map and clarify their definitions, and examine the content and evidence on which they are based.

Clinical manifestations of tension pneumothorax: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Although health care providers utilize classically described signs and symptoms to diagnose tension pneumothorax, available literature sources differ in their descriptions of its clinical manifestations. Moreover, while the clinical manifestations of tension pneumothorax have been suggested to differ among subjects of varying respiratory status, it remains unknown if these differences are supported by clinical evidence. Thus, the primary objective of this study is to systematically describe and contrast the clinical manifestations of tension pneumothorax among patients receiving positive pressure ventilation versus those who are breathing unassisted.

Incidence, prevalence, and occurrence rate of infection among adults hospitalized after traumatic brain injury: study protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Infection occurs commonly among patients hospitalized after traumatic brain injury (TBI) and has been associated with increased intensive care unit and hospital lengths of stay and an elevated risk of poor neurological outcome and mortality. However, as many relevant published studies to date have varied in the type and severity of TBI among included patients as well as in their design (randomized versus non-randomized), risk of bias, and setting (hospital ward versus intensive care unit), their reported estimates of infection occurrence vary considerably. Thus, the purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to estimate the incidence, prevalence, and occurrence rate of infection among patients hospitalized after TBI.

The status of accreditation in primary care.

Background: One method utilised to improve the quality of health care is accreditation. Although accreditation has been extensively used in the acute care sector, its presence in primary care is limited and so is our understanding of its nature, uptake and associated outcomes. Because acute care and primary care environments are vastly different, our understanding of acute care accreditation cannot simply be translated to primary care.

Negative-pressure wound therapy for critically ill adults with open abdominal wounds: a systematic review.

Background: Open abdominal management with negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is increasingly used for critically ill trauma and surgery patients. We sought to determine the comparative efficacy and safety of NPWT versus alternate temporary abdominal closure (TAC) techniques in critically ill adults with open abdominal wounds.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review of published and unpublished comparative studies.