In two double blind trials involving nearly 1400 pts being treated with opiods for non-cancer pain and experiencing constipation, oral naloxegol was compared to placebo with the primary outcome being spontaneous bowel activity. Naloxegol was superior to placebo overall and in the subgroup of patients who had failed to respond to laxatives. Pain sco
ALERT!
This site is not optimized for Internet Explorer 8 (or older).
Please upgrade to a newer version of Internet Explorer or use an alternate browser such as Chrome or Firefox.
Critical Care
June 22, 2014
This multicenter prospective study evaluated indications for and outcomes of ICU admission for 449 patients with lung cancer. Most patients had a newly diagnosed lung cancer, and the most common indication for ICU admission was airway compromise. Hospital and 6-month mortality rates were 39% and 55%. Determinants of mortality were severity of orga
June 16, 2014
Using data from the Australian Cardiac Surgical Database, the authors provide further information regarding acute kidney damage after cardiac surgery. This study has added to the evidence that preoperative impairment, IABP use, red cell transfusion and infective endocarditis are predictive factors.
June 16, 2014
The rate of cerebral embolism in patients with acute infective endocarditis (AIE) was about one quarter on CT scanning, with about one third having silent emboli. This had an adverse impact on survival. Haemorrhagic transformation was low. The authors indicate CT scanning should be routine for all patients with AIE.
June 1, 2014
This is a nice video that demonstrates what items are required to safely perform an emergency resternotomy.
Might be a nice video to show to your ICU nurses or those who might be required to assist in an emergency resternotomy.
May 23, 2014
Stepped wedged cluster randomized control trial from the World Health Organization comparing outcomes in those who received a Checklist. Implementation of the WHO Surgical Safey Checklist decreased morbidty and hospital length of stay.
May 23, 2014
In this extensive review, the authors focus on extracorproreal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), both for cardiac and respiratory failure. They describe the explosive increase in ECMO use, the expanding indications, and the need for more evidence-based use.
May 15, 2014
We are all dissapointed to see that a study that looked at 783 patients from the chianti region over 10 years that looked at resveratrol metabolites showed no health benefits for high intake of this mtabolite of chocolate and wine
May 6, 2014
The authors reviewed transfusion practices after cardiac surgery in Australia and New Zealand using a database of nearly 43,000 patients. Transfusion rates for >=1 unit varied 3-fold (22% to 67%), for >=5 units varied 5-fold, >=1 platelet pack varied 3-fold, >=1 FFP varied 4 fold, and >=1 cryoprecipitate varied 20-fold. The differenc
April 24, 2014
The authors, well-known experts in critical care medicine, provide a detailed and usedful overview of critical illness polyneuropathy. This affects 25% to 100% of ICU patients and is associated with impaired recovery after cricial illness.