The usefulness of trans-splenic retrocardiac imaging in prone positioned critically ill patients.

In the last few years prone positioning has been used increasingly in the treatment of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome and this maneuver is now considered a simple and safe method to improve oxygenation. Hemodynamic monitoring by echocardiography may be required but prone positioning imposes certain challenges limiting standard examination. The article describes the application of the "trans-splenic retrocardiac view," a little-known echographic window for obtaining Doppler parameters from the back in prone-positioned patients.

Neonatal Early Onset Sepsis (EOS) Calculator plus Universal Serial Physical Examination (SPE): A Prospective Two-Step Implementation of a Neonatal EOS Prevention Protocol for Reduction of Sepsis Workup and Antibiotic Treatment.

Current neonatal early-onset sepsis (EOS) guidelines lack consensus. Recent studies suggest three different options for EOS risk assessment among infants born ≥35 wks gestational age (GA), leading to different behaviors in the sepsis workup and antibiotic administration. A broad disparity in clinical practice is found in Neonatal Units, with a large number of non-infected newborns evaluated and treated for EOS.

Incidence, clinical characteristics and outcome of barotrauma in critically ill patients with COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Barotrauma is rare in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome undergoing mechanical ventilation. Its incidence seems increased among critically ill COVID-19 patients. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the incidence, risk factors and clinical outcomes of barotrauma among critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Qualitative and quantitative muscle ultrasound changes in patients with COVID-19-related ARDS.

Objectives: Severe forms of the novel coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) are associated with systemic inflammation and hypercatabolism. The aims of this study were to compare the time course of the size and quality of both rectus femoris and diaphragm muscles between critically ill, COVID-19 survivors and non-survivors and to explore the correlation between the change in muscles size and quality with the amount of nutritional support delivered and the cumulative fluid balance.

Methods: This was a prospective observational study in the general intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary care hospital for COVID-19.