Effects of two different dexamethasone dosing regimens on ventilator-free days and long-term mortality in COVID-19 patients with moderate-to-severe ARDS: the REMED randomized clinical trial.

Background: Dexamethasone 6 mg in patients with severe COVID-19 has been shown to decrease mortality and morbidity. The effects of higher doses of corticosteroid, that would further increase anti-inflammatory effects, are uncertain. The objective of our study was to assess the effect of 20 mg dexamethasone vs.

Research priorities for the study of atrial fibrillation during acute and critical illness: recommendations from the Symposium on Atrial Fibrillation in Acute and Critical Care.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia encountered in acute and critical illness and is associated with poor short and long-term outcomes. Given the consequences of developing AF, research into prevention, prediction and treatment of this arrhythmia in the critically ill are of great potential benefit, however, study of AF in critically ill patients faces unique challenges, leading to a sparse evidence base to guide management in this population. Major obstacles to the study of AF in acute and critical illness include absence of a common definition, challenges in designing studies that capture complex etiology and assess causality, lack of a clear outcome set, difficulites in recruitment in acute environments with respect to timing, consent, and workflow, and failure to embed studies into clinical care platforms and capitalize on emerging technologies.

Impact of routine extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation service on the availability of donor organs.

Background: In refractory cardiac arrest, extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation may increase the survival chance. However, in cases of unsuccessful treatment, extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation may additionally provide an important source of organ donors. Therefore, we hypothesized that implementing extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation service into a high-volume cardiac arrest center's routine would increases organ donors' availability.

The outcomes of patients with septic shock treated with propafenone compared to amiodarone for supraventricular arrhythmias are related to end-systolic left atrial volume.

Aims: A recently published trial has shown no differences in outcomes between patients with new-onset supraventricular arrhythmia (SVA) in septic shock treated with either propafenone or amiodarone. However, these outcome data have not been evaluated in relation to the presence or absence of a dilated left atrium (LA).

Methods And Results: Patients with SVA and a left ventricular ejection fraction ≥ 35% were randomized to receive intravenous propafenone (70 mg bolus followed by 400-840 mg/24 h) or amiodarone (300 mg bolus followed by 600-1800 mg/24 h).

Predictors of cardiac arrest in severe accidental hypothermia.

Study Objective: To indicate predictors of witnessed hypothermic cardiac arrest.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 182 patients with severe accidental hypothermia (i.e.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Septic Shock in Adults and Children: A Narrative Review.

Refractory septic shock is associated with a high risk of death. Circulatory support in the form of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) may function as a bridge to recovery, allowing for the treatment of the source of the sepsis. Whilst VA ECMO has been accepted as the means of hemodynamic support for children, in adults, single center observational studies show survival rates of only 70-90% for hypodynamic septic shock.

Prognostic Impact of Serial Imaging in Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome on the Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

Background: The impact of serial imaging on the outcome of ICU patients has not been studied specifically in patients with high illness severity.

Methods: The authors sought a relationship between the numbers of antero-posterior supine chest X-rays (CXR), computed tomography (CT) examinations, and outcome in a cohort of 292 patients with severe COVID-19 ARDS collected over 24 months in a high-volume ECMO center with established ultrasound and echocardiographic diagnostics. Of the patients, 172 (59%) were obese or morbidly obese, and 119 (41%) were treated with ECMO.

Update on Anticoagulation Strategies in Patients with ECMO-A Narrative Review.

The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has recently increased exponentially. ECMO has become the preferred mode of organ support in refractory respiratory or circulatory failure. The fragile balance of haemostasis physiology is massively altered by the patient's critical condition and specifically the aetiology of the underlying disease.

Transfusion practice in patients receiving VV ECMO (PROTECMO): a prospective, multicentre, observational study.

Background: In patients receiving venovenous (VV) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusion thresholds are usually higher than in other patients who are critically ill. Available guidelines suggest a restrictive approach, but do not provide specific recommendations on the topic. The main aim of this study was, in a short timeframe, to describe the actual values of haemoglobin and the rate and the thresholds for transfusion of PRBC during VV ECMO.