Can Transcutaneous CO2 Tension Be Used to Calculate Ventilatory Dead Space? A Pilot Study.

Dead space fraction (V d/V t) measurement performed using volumetric capnography requires arterial blood gas (ABG) sampling to estimate the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2). In recent years, transcutaneous capnography (PtcCO2) has emerged as a noninvasive method of estimating PaCO2. We hypothesized that PtcCO2 can be used as a substitute for PaCO2 in the calculation of V d/V t.

Addressing Patient Safety in Rapid Response Activations for Nonhospitalized Persons.

Background: Rapid response teams (RRTs) have been widely accepted as useful adjuncts to the care of inpatients with unanticipated emergencies. One study suggested that leadership of such teams could be assigned to midlevel providers, especially when nonhospitalized person (NHP)-related emergencies occur. However, in our tertiary medical center, a critical care medicine (CCM) physician always leads all RRT events including those related to NHPs.

First do no harm: surrogate endpoints and the lesson of β-agonists in acute lung injury.

Background: β2-adrenergic receptor agonists accelerate resolution of pulmonary edema in experimental and clinical studies of acute lung injury (ALI).

Methods: Objective: To determine whether an aerosolized β2-agonist would improve clinical outcomes in patients with ALI. Design: Multi-center, phase III randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

A unique case of lemierre syndrome associated with thrombophilia in an adult and the role of anticoagulation.

Acute septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein (IJV), better known as Lemierre syndrome, is a rare entity which poses several challenges in management. Treatment involves prompt use of intravenous antibiotics over a prolonged period of time, typically 6-8 weeks. The use of anticoagulation is controversial, but indicated for some.