B-Lines for the assessment of extravascular lung water: Just focused or semi-quantitative?

Background: B-lines as typical artefacts of lung ultrasound are considered as surrogate measurement for extravascular lung water. However, B-lines develop in the sub-pleural space and do not allow assessment of the whole lung. Here, we present data from the first observational multi-centre study focusing on the correlation between a B-lines score and extravascular lung water in critically ill patients suffering from a variety of diseases.

Cost-effectiveness-analysis of ultrasound guidance for central venous catheterization compared with landmark method: a decision-analytic model.

Background: Ultrasound guidance for central venous catheterization is a commonly used alternative to the conventional landmark method. Because from the German perspective, the cost-effectiveness of ultrasound guidance is unclear, this study examined the cost-effectiveness of ultrasound guidance versus the landmark method for adults undergoing a central venous catheterization.

Methods: A decision-tree based model was built to estimate the costs of averted catheter-related complications.

Percutaneous techniques versus surgical techniques for tracheostomy.

Background: Tracheostomy formation is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures in critically ill intensive care participants requiring long-term mechanical ventilation. Both surgical tracheostomies (STs) and percutaneous tracheostomies (PTs) are used in current surgical practice; but until now, the optimal method of performing tracheostomies in critically ill participants remains unclear.

Objectives: We evaluated the effectiveness and safety of percutaneous techniques compared to surgical techniques commonly used for elective tracheostomy in critically ill participants (adults and children) to assess whether there was a difference in complication rates between the procedures.

Ultrasound guidance versus anatomical landmarks for subclavian or femoral vein catheterization.

Background: Central venous catheters can help with diagnosis and treatment of the critically ill. The catheter may be placed in a large vein in the neck (internal jugular vein), upper chest (subclavian vein) or groin (femoral vein). Whilst this is beneficial overall, inserting the catheter risks arterial puncture and other complications and should be performed in as few attempts as possible.

Ultrasound guidance versus anatomical landmarks for internal jugular vein catheterization.

Background: Central venous catheters (CVCs) can help with diagnosis and treatment of the critically ill. The catheter may be placed in a large vein in the neck (internal jugular vein), upper chest (subclavian vein) or groin (femoral vein). Whilst this is beneficial overall, inserting the catheter risks arterial puncture and other complications and should be performed with as few attempts as possible.

LIFEBRIDGE: a portable, modular, rapidly available "plug-and-play" mechanical circulatory support system.

Purpose: We describe the LIFEBRIDGE, a portable, modular, rapidly available "plug-and-play" mechanical circulatory support system, and report its experimental safety evaluation.

Description: The modular construction consists of a disposable patient module with cardiopulmonary bypass circuit, control module, and base module with power supply, embedded PC, and user interface. The system weighs about 20 kg, has a modular design, and has semi-automatic priming that allows action within 5 minutes, and a 7-step air elimination program that prevents air embolization.