The LITFL Critical Care Compendium is a comprehensive collection of pages concisely covering the core topics and controversies of critical care.
Statins (HMG CoA reductase inhibitors) are the most widely used drugs for lowering serum cholesterol levels. Statins also have anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and immune-modulating effects (ie independent lipid-lowering effects) which may attenuate end-organ dysfunction in a number of syndromes
Sugammadex is used for reversal of the amino steroid neuromuscular blocking drugs rocuronium, vecuronium and pancuronium.
Tenecteplase is a tissue plasminogen activator used as a thrombolytic medication in: Acute Ischaemic Strokes, Acute Myocardial Infarction, PE
Terlipressin: synthetic vasopressin analogue with relative specificity for the splanchnic circulation where it causes vasoconstriction in these vessels with a reduction in portal pressure.
Tirofiban: anti-platelet agent; glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonist -> stops platelet aggregation
Adaptive support ventilation (ASV) is a positive pressure mode of mechanical ventilation that is closed-loop controlled, and automatically adjusts based on the patient's requirements
Cervical artery dissections is the collective term for dissections of the carotid or vertebral arteries. They are important causes of stroke in younger people and are often difficult diagnoses to make
Practice misalignment occurs in RCTs when randomization disrupts the normal relationship between clinically important characteristics and therapy titration. This can create subgroups of patients within each study arm that receive levels of therapy that are inconsistent with current practices outside of the clinical study and may be harmful
Peer reviewed by Maurice Le Guen OVERVIEW SIGNIFICANCE In adult ICU patients: PATHOPHYSIOLOGY RISK-FACTORS Baseline In ICU ASSESSMENT Clinical presentation Assessment approach Delirium monitoring Tools MANAGEMENT Early recognition Non-pharmacologic treatment Pharmacologic treatment EVIDENCE Treatment Page VJ, et al. 2013 Devlin JW,…
Daily Interruptions of Sedation in Mechanically Ventilated Patients designed to reduce exposure to sedative agents; allow assessment of neurological status; assess readiness for extubation; and reduce duration of mechanical ventilation
High airway pressures are important because they may have adverse effects on the patient; indicate a deterioration of the patient’s condition; indicate an equipment problem that needs to be addressed
OVERVIEW DEFINITION The Berlin Definition (2013) SEVERITY ARDS Severity PaO2/FiO2* Mortality** Mild 200 – 300 27% Moderate 100 – 200 32% Severe < 100 45% *on PEEP 5+; **observed in cohort RISK FACTORS Direct Indirect PATHOPHYSIOLOGY Classical phases Complex interplay:…