Clonidine safety and effectiveness in the management of suspected paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity post-traumatic brain injury: A retrospective cohort study.

Introduction: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. In addition, TBI may cause paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity (PSH), which is associated with poor clinical outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of clonidine in patients with TBI and suspected PSH.

Practical Guide for Anticoagulant and Antiplatelet Reversal in Clinical Practice.

In recent years, anticoagulant and antiplatelet use have increased over the past years for the prevention and treatment of several cardiovascular conditions. Due to the rising use of antithrombotic medications and the complexity of specific clinical cases requiring such therapies, bleeding remains the primary concern among patients using antithrombotics. Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) include rivaroxaban, apixaban, edoxaban, and betrixaban.

Therapeutic Plasma Exchange and Supratherapeutic Levels of Unfractionated Heparin in the Management of Critically Ill Patient with Myasthenia Gravis: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is an extracorporeal method of filtration indicated in several conditions, including myasthenia gravis (MG). The removal and replacement of plasma through TPE affect the level of coagulation factors, suggesting alterations in homeostasis. TPE also has the potential to remove medications from the plasma.

Colistin Loading Dose in Septic Patients with Gram Negative Infections.

Purpose: Intravenous (IV) colistin is commonly used to treat multidrug-resistant gram-negative infections. It is primarily eliminated renally and may induce acute kidney injury (AKI) at a rate of up to 53%. Consequently, septic patients who require colistin administration have an additional risk of developing AKI.

Association between phosphate disturbances and mortality among critically ill patients with sepsis or septic shock.

Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the association of hypophosphatemia and hyperphosphatemia on the first day of ICU admission with mortality in septic critically ill patients.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, all adult patients who were admitted to the medical-surgical ICUs between 2014 and 2017 with sepsis or septic shock were categorized as having hypophosphatemia, normophosphatemia and hyperphosphatemia based on day 1 serum phosphate values. We compared the clinical characteristics and outcomes between the three groups.

Clinical features and outcomes of critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): A multicenter cohort study.

Background: Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) manifested by a broad spectrum of symptoms, ranging from asymptomatic manifestations to severe illness and death. The purpose of the study was to extensively describe the clinical features and outcomes in critically ill patients with COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia.

Method: This was a multicenter, non-interventional cohort study for all critically ill patients aged 18 years or older, admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) between March 1 to August 31, 2020, with an objectively confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19.

Dosing errors of empirical antibiotics in critically ill patients with severe sepsis or septic shock: A prospective observational study.

Background: Effective antibiotic therapy is crucial in sepsis management. Studies have emphasized on antibiotic administration timing more than dosing. We evaluated the frequency and risk factors of antibiotic dosing errors in sepsis.

Association between β-blocker use and mortality in critically ill patients: a nested cohort study.

Background: β-blockers have several indications in critically ill patients and are commonly used. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between the use of β-blockers in critically ill patients and mortality.

Methods: This was a nested cohort study in which all medical-surgical ICU patients (N = 523) enrolled in a randomized clinical trial of intensive insulin therapy (ISRCTN07413772) were grouped according to β-blocker use during ICU stay.

Assessment of anti-factor Xa activity of enoxaparin for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in morbidly obese surgical patients.

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) can be encountered by 60% of hospitalized patients. Anticoagulants have been recommended to reduce the risk of VTE in patients with risk factors. However, no specific dosing recommendations for obese patients are provided in the current practice guidelines.

Quantifying the Effects of Prior Acetyl-Salicylic Acid on Sepsis-Related Deaths: An Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis Using Propensity Matching.

Objective: The primary objective was to conduct a meta-analysis on published observational cohort data describing the association between acetyl-salicylic acid (aspirin) use prior to the onset of sepsis and mortality in hospitalized patients.

Study Selection: Studies that reported mortality in patients on aspirin with sepsis with a comparison group of patients with sepsis not on prior aspirin therapy were included.

Data Sources: Fifteen studies described hospital-based cohorts (n = 17,065), whereas one was a large insurance-based database (n = 683,421).

Assessment and comparison of CHADS2, CHA2DS2-VASc, and HAS-BLED scores in patients with atrial fibrillation in Saudi Arabia.

Aims: No previous reports on the utilization of CHADS2, CHA2DS2-VASc, and HAS-BLED scores in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients in Saudi Arabia have been identified in the literature. The main objectives of this study were to assess and compare the distribution of CHADS2, CHA2DS2-VASc, and HAS-BLED scores and to identify the most common risk factors for stroke and bleeding among AF patients attending clinical pharmacists managed anticoagulation clinic.

Settings And Design: This cross-sectional study was conducted over 2 months period at clinical pharmacists managed anticoagulation clinic.

Association between aspirin therapy and the outcome in critically ill patients: a nested cohort study.

Background: Antiplatelet therapy may attenuate the undesirable effects of platelets on the inflammatory cascades in critical illness. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between aspirin therapy during intensive care unit (ICU) stay and all-cause mortality.

Methods: This was a nested cohort study within two randomized controlled trials in which all enrolled patients (N = 763) were grouped according to aspirin intake during ICU stay.

The association between statin therapy during intensive care unit stay and the incidence of venous thromboembolism: a propensity score-adjusted analysis.

Background: Studies have shown that statins have pleiotropic effects on inflammation and coagulation; which may affect the risk of developing venous thromboembolism (VTE). The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between statin therapy during intensive care unit (ICU) stay and the incidence of VTE in critically ill patients.

Methods: This was a post-hoc analysis of a prospective observational cohort study of patients admitted to the intensive care unit between July 2006 and January 2008 at a tertiary care medical center.

Association between statin therapy and outcomes in critically ill patients: a nested cohort study.

Background: The effect of statin therapy on mortality in critically ill patients is controversial, with some studies suggesting a benefit and others suggesting no benefit or even potential harm. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between statin therapy during intensive care unit (ICU) admission and all-cause mortality in critically ill patients.

Methods: This was a nested cohort study within two randomised controlled trials conducted in a tertiary care ICU.