Methods of Assessing Frailty in the Critically Ill: A Systematic Review of the Current Literature.

Introduction: As new treatments have become established, more frail pre-ICU patients are being admitted to intensive care units (ICUs); this is creating new challenges to provide adequate care and to ensure that resources are allocated in an ethical and economical manner. This systematic review evaluates the current standard for assessing frailty on the ICU, including methods of assessment, time point of measurements, and cut-offs.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted on MEDLINE, Clinical Trials, Cochrane Library, and Embase.

Fluid Overload and Mortality in Adult Critical Care Patients-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies.

Objective: Fluid administration in combination with the increase in vasopermeability induced by critical illness often results in significant fluid overload in critically ill patients. Recent research indicates that mortality is increased in patients who have received large volumes of fluids. We have systematically reviewed and synthesized the evidence on fluid overload and mortality in critically ill patients and have performed a meta-analysis of available data from observational studies.

Severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) induced by human adenovirus B21: Report on 2 cases and literature review.

Severe pneumonia and ARDS caused by human adenovirus B21 infections (HAdV-B21) is a rare, but a devastating disease with rapid progression to multiorgan failure and death. However, only a few cases were reported so far. Infections appear associated with increased disease severity and higher mortality in infected critically ill patients.

Journal Club sessions in the intensive care unit: a conceptual framework.

Journal Club sessions are regarded highly effective tools for continued medical education. They aim to keep participants up to date with the current available literature and may enhance one's critical reading, interpretation, and discussion skills. Thus, Journal Clubs should be implemented as part of educational curricula in intensive care medicine.

Sepsis: time has come to focus on the later stages.

Despite numerous advances in intensive care medicine, sepsis remains a deadly disease. Today, conventional therapeutic approaches and mainstream scientific research mostly focus on symptomatic early goal directed organ support therapy. This includes fluid resuscitation, choice and timing of antibiotics and vasopressors, mechanical ventilation, and renal replacement strategies.