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.

Monitoring of myocardial injury by serial measurements of QRS area and T area: The MaastrICCht cohort.

Background: Manually derived electrocardiographic (ECG) parameters were not associated with mortality in mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients in earlier studies, while increased high-sensitivity cardiac troponin-T (hs-cTnT) and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) were. To provide evidence for vectorcardiography (VCG) measures as potential cardiac monitoring tool, we investigated VCG trajectories during critical illness.

Methods: All mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients were included in the Maastricht Intensive Care Covid Cohort between March 2020 and October 2021.

Applications of rotational thromboelastometry in heparin monitoring in critical COVID-19 disease: Observations in the Maastricht Intensive Care COVID cohort.

Background: Critically ill COVID-19 patients are at risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE). Therefore, they receive thromboprophylaxis and, when appropriate, therapeutic unfractionated heparin (UFH) or low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH). To monitor heparins in COVID-19 disease, whole-blood rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) may be a promising alternative to the aPTT and anti-Xa assays.

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.