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Purpose To review the characteristics, findings and quality of systematic reviews (SRs) on the effect of any vasopressor/inotrope on outcomes in adult patients with sepsis compared with either no treatment, another vasopressor or inotrope or fluids. Materials and methods We systematically searched Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed and Embase (January 1993–March 2021). Descriptive statistics were used. Results Among the 28 SRs identified, mortality was the primary outcome in most (26/28) and mortality was usually (23/28) studied using randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Fifteen SRs focused exclusively on patients with sepsis or septic shock. Sepsis and septic shock were always grouped for the analysis. Publication bias was consistently low when studied. The most consistent findings were a survival advantage with norepinephrine versus dopamine, which disappeared in analyses restricted to 28-day mortality, and more arrhythmias with dopamine. However, these analyses were dominated by a single study. Only 2 SRs were judged to be of moderate-high quality. Lack of blinding and attrition bias may have affected the outcomes. Conclusions The quality of SRs on the effect of vasopressors/inotropes on the outcomes of adult patients with sepsis can be improved, but high-quality, multicenter, RCTs should be preferred to additional SRs on this topic.

Background Studies have demonstrated that high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) prevents intubation in acute hypoxic respiratory failure when compared with conventional oxygen therapy (COT). However, the data examining routine HFNC use in the immediate postoperative period are less clear. Research Question Is routine HFNC use superior to COT or noninvasive ventilation (NIV) use in preventing intubation in patients postoperatively? Study Design and Methods We comprehensively searched databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science) to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the effect of HFNC use with that of COT or NIV in the immediate postoperative period on reintubation, escalation of respiratory support, hospital mortality, ICU and hospital length of stay (LOS), postoperative hypoxemia, and treatment complications. We assessed individual study risk of bias (RoB) by using the revised Cochrane RoB 2 tool and rated certainty in outcomes by using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework. Results We included 11 RCTs enrolling 2,201 patients. Ten compared HFNC with COT and one with NIV. Compared with COT use, HFNC use in the postoperative period was associated with a lower reintubation rate (relative risk [RR], 0.32; 95% CI, 0.12-0.88; absolute risk reduction [ARR], 2.9%; moderate certainty) and decreased escalation of respiratory support (RR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.31-0.94; ARR, 5.8%; very low certainty). Post hoc subgroup analysis suggested that this effect was driven by patients who were obese and/or at high risk (subgroup differences, P = .06). We did not find differences in any of the other stated outcomes between HFNC and COT. HFNC was also no different from NIV in reintubation rate, respiratory therapy failure, or ICU LOS. Interpretation With evidence of moderate certainty, prophylactic HFNC reduces reintubation and escalation of respiratory support compared with COT in the immediate postoperative period after cardiothoracic surgery. This effect is likely driven by patients who are at high risk and/or obese. These findings support postoperative prophylactic HFNC use in the patients who are at high risk and/or obese undergoing cardiothoracic surgery.

Objectives Reintubation after failed extubation is associated with increased mortality and longer hospital length of stay. Noninvasive oxygenation modalities may prevent reintubation. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the safety and efficacy of high-flow nasal cannula after extubation in critically ill adults. Data sources We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science. Study selection We included randomized controlled trials comparing high-flow nasal cannula to other noninvasive methods of oxygen delivery after extubation in critically ill adults. Data extraction We included the following outcomes: reintubation, postextubation respiratory failure, mortality, use of noninvasive ventilation, ICU and hospital length of stay, complications, and comfort. Data synthesis We included eight randomized controlled trials (n = 1,594 patients). Compared with conventional oxygen therapy, high-flow nasal cannula decreased reintubation (relative risk, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.30-0.70; moderate certainty) and postextubation respiratory failure (relative risk, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.30-0.91; very low certainty), but had no effect on mortality (relative risk, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.57-1.52; moderate certainty), or ICU length of stay (mean difference, 0.05 d fewer; 95% CI, 0.83 d fewer to 0.73 d more; high certainty). High-flow nasal cannula may decrease use of noninvasive ventilation (relative risk, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.34-1.22; moderate certainty) and hospital length of stay (mean difference, 0.98 d fewer; 95% CI, 2.16 d fewer to 0.21 d more; moderate certainty) compared with conventional oxygen therapy, however, certainty was limited by imprecision. Compared with noninvasive ventilation, high-flow nasal cannula had no effect on reintubation (relative risk, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.86-1.57; low certainty), mortality (relative risk, 1.12; 95% CI, 0.82-1.53; moderate certainty), or postextubation respiratory failure (relative risk, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.48-1.41; very low certainty). High-flow nasal cannula may reduce ICU length of stay (moderate certainty) and hospital length of stay (moderate certainty) compared with noninvasive ventilation. Conclusions High-flow nasal cannula reduces reintubation compared with conventional oxygen therapy, but not compared with noninvasive ventilation after extubation.

Background The association between night/after-hours surgery and patients' mortality is unclear. Methods The protocol of this systematic review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42019128534). We searched Medline, PubMed, and EMBASE from inception until August 29, 2019 for studies examining an association between timing of surgical procedures (time of anaesthesia induction or surgery start) and mortality (within 30 days or in-hospital) in adult patients. Studies reporting patients' mortality after surgery performed during the weekend only were excluded. All analyses were done using the random-effects model. Results We included 40 observational studies (36 retrospective and four prospective) that examined a total of 2 957 065 patients. Twenty-eight studies were judged of good quality and 12 of poor quality according to Newcastle–Ottawa score, owing to a lack of adequate comparability between study groups. Primary analysis from adjusted estimates demonstrated as association between night/after-hours surgery and a higher risk of mortality (odds ratio [OR]=1.16; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06–1.28; P=0.002; number of studies=18; I2=67%) based on low certainty evidence. Analysis from unadjusted estimates demonstrated a consistent association (OR=1.47; 95% CI, 1.19–1.83; P=0.0005; studies=38, I2=97%; low certainty). The number of centres per study had no credible subgroup effect on the association between the time of surgery and mortality. We were unable to evaluate the subgroup effect of urgency of surgery because of high heterogeneity. Conclusions Night/after-hours surgery may be associated with a higher risk of mortality. Patients' and surgical characteristics seem not to completely explain this finding. However, the certainty of the evidence was low.

Objective: The role of high-flow nasal cannula during and before intubation is unclear despite a number of randomized clinical trials. Our objective was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis examining the benefits of high-flow nasal cannula in the peri-intubation period. Data Sources: We performed a comprehensive search of relevant databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science). Study Selection: We included randomized clinical trials that compared high-flow nasal cannula to other noninvasive oxygen delivery systems in the peri-intubation period. Data Extraction: Our primary outcome was severe desaturation (defined as peripheral oxygen saturation reading < 80% during intubation). Secondary outcomes included peri-intubation complications, apneic time, Pao2 before and after intubation, Paco2 after intubation, ICU length of stay, and short-term mortality. Data Synthesis: We included 10 randomized clinical trials (n = 1,017 patients). High-flow nasal cannula had no effect on the occurrence rate of peri-intubation hypoxemia (relative risk, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.68–1.42; 0.3% absolute risk reduction, moderate certainty), serious complications (relative risk, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.71–1.06), apneic time (mean difference, 10.3 s higher with high-flow nasal cannula; 95% CI, 11.0 s lower to 31.7 s higher), Pao2 measured after preoxygenation (mean difference, 3.6 mm Hg higher; 95% CI, 3.5 mm Hg lower to 10.7 mm Hg higher), or Pao2 measured after intubation (mean difference, 27.0 mm Hg higher; 95% CI, 13.2 mm Hg lower to 67.2 mm Hg higher), when compared with conventional oxygen therapy. There was also no effect on postintubation Paco2, ICU length of stay, or 28-day mortality. Conclusions: We found moderate-to-low certainty evidence that the use of high-flow nasal cannula likely has no effect on severe desaturation, serious complications, apneic time, oxygenation, ICU length of stay, or overall survival when used in the peri-intubation period when compared with conventional oxygen therapy.

Introduction Concomitant experimental/compassionate drug administration has been all-pervasive in the treatment of COVID-19 patients. The objective of this study was to study the relationship between patient severity, the number of experimental/compassionate medications received (main outcome measure), and patient outcomes [survival to hospital discharge and length of hospital stay (LOS)]. Methods Retrospective analysis of data collected in real time during the first pandemic wave in a tertiary care hospital. Data included patient demographics, comorbidities, admission vital signs, laboratory values, most extreme respiratory intervention during hospitalization, and data regarding treatment with compassionate/experimental drugs during their stay. Results Overall, 292 PCR-confirmed patients with symptoms of COVID-19 were studied (March/April, 2020). Increasing respiratory support correlated with both LOS and mortality. Patients were more likely to receive more than 1 experimental/compassionate drugs as respiratory support escalated, ranging from 3% (n = 4/136) among patients on room air to 77.3% (n = 17/22) of mechanically ventilated/ECMO patients (P

Hypoxaemia is a potential life-threatening yet common complication in the peri-operative and periprocedural patient (e.g. during an invasive procedure at risk of deterioration of gas exchange, such as bronchoscopy). The European Society of Anaesthesiology (ESA) and the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM) developed guidelines for the use of noninvasive respiratory support techniques in the hypoxaemic patient in the peri-operative and periprocedural period. The panel outlined five clinical questions regarding treatment with noninvasive respiratory support techniques [conventional oxygen therapy (COT), high flow nasal cannula, noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)] for hypoxaemic patients with acute peri-operative/periprocedural respiratory failure. The goal was to assess the available literature on the various noninvasive respiratory support techniques, specifically studies that included adult participants with hypoxaemia in the peri-operative/periprocedural period. The literature search strategy was developed by a Cochrane Anaesthesia and Intensive Care trial search specialist in close collaboration with the panel members and the ESA group methodologist. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system was used to assess the level of evidence and to grade recommendations. The final process was then validated by both ESA and ESICM scientific committees. Among 19 recommendations, the two grade 1B recommendations state that: in the peri-operative/periprocedural hypoxaemic patient, the use of either NIPPV or CPAP (based on local expertise) is preferred to COT for improvement of oxygenation; and that the panel suggests using NIPPV or CPAP immediately post-extubation for hypoxaemic patients at risk of developing acute respiratory failure after abdominal surgery. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00134-020-05948-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

BACKGROUND: High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen therapy is a routine, evidence-based treatment in the ICU. Due to its ease of application, non– evidence-based use of HFNC has spread to non-ICU wards. This study reports on the experience with HFNC outside the ICU. METHODS: This is an observational study of HFNC prescribed by treating physicians in non-ICU areas. Primary outcomes included change in dyspnea visual analog scale score and physiological variables both before and 30 min after initiation of HFNC treatment. Secondary outcomes included mortality, ICU admission, and intubation. RESULTS: We observed decreased median (interquartile range) visual analog scale scores after initiation of HFNC: 8 (6–9) versus 5 (4–6) (P CONCLUSIONS: HFNC outside the ICU was associated with improved visual analog scale score, breathing frequency, and saturation but with a relatively high mortality, even in non-DNR subjects. HFNC was used in many subjects who had a DNR order. This therapy may have been palliative in intent. Care should be exercised in using this therapy in a setting that is not continuously monitored.

Purpose High flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is a relatively recent respiratory support technique which delivers high flow, heated and humidified controlled concentration of oxygen via the nasal route. Recently, its use has increased for a variety of clinical indications. To guide clinical practice, we developed evidence-based recommendations regarding use of HFNC in various clinical settings. Methods We formed a guideline panel composed of clinicians, methodologists and experts in respiratory medicine. Using GRADE, the panel developed recommendations for four actionable questions. Results The guideline panel made a strong recommendation for HFNC in hypoxemic respiratory failure compared to conventional oxygen therapy (COT) (moderate certainty), a conditional recommendation for HFNC following extubation (moderate certainty), no recommendation regarding HFNC in the peri-intubation period (moderate certainty), and a conditional recommendation for postoperative HFNC in high risk and/or obese patients following cardiac or thoracic surgery (moderate certainty). Conclusions This clinical practice guideline synthesizes current best-evidence into four recommendations for HFNC use in patients with hypoxemic respiratory failure, following extubation, in the peri-intubation period, and postoperatively for bedside clinicians. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00134-020-06312-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Objectives: A significant proportion of COVID-19 patients may have cardiac involvement including arrhythmias. Although arrhythmia characterization and possible predictors were previously reported, there are conflicting data regarding the exact prevalence of arrhythmias. Clinically applicable algorithms to classify COVID patients’ arrhythmic risk are still lacking, and are the aim of our study. Methods: We describe a single center cohort of hospitalized patients with a positive nasopharyngeal swab for COVID-19 during the initial Israeli outbreak between 1/2/2020 –30/5/2020. The study’s outcome was any documented arrhythmia during hospitalization, based on daily physical examination, routine ECG’s, periodic 24-hour Holter, and continuous monitoring. Multivariate analysis was used to find predictors for new arrhythmias and create classification trees for discriminating patients with high and low arrhythmic risk. Results: Out of 390 COVID-19 patients included, 28 (7.2%) had documented arrhythmias during hospitalization, including: 23 atrial tachyarrhythmias, combined atrial fibrillation (AF) and ventricular fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia storm, and 3 bradyarrhythmias. Only 7/28 patients had previous arrhythmias. Our study showed significant correlation between disease severity and arrhythmia prevalence (p

OBJECTIVES: A significant proportion of COVID-19 patients may have cardiac involvement including arrhythmias. Although arrhythmia characterization and possible predictors were previously reported, there are conflicting data regarding the exact prevalence of arrhythmias. Clinically applicable algorithms to classify COVID patients' arrhythmic risk are still lacking, and are the aim of our study. METHODS: We describe a single center cohort of hospitalized patients with a positive nasopharyngeal swab for COVID-19 during the initial Israeli outbreak between 1/2/2020 -30/5/2020. The study's outcome was any documented arrhythmia during hospitalization, based on daily physical examination, routine ECG's, periodic 24-hour Holter, and continuous monitoring. Multivariate analysis was used to find predictors for new arrhythmias and create classification trees for discriminating patients with high and low arrhythmic risk. RESULTS: Out of 390 COVID-19 patients included, 28 (7.2%) had documented arrhythmias during hospitalization, including: 23 atrial tachyarrhythmias, combined atrial fibrillation (AF) and ventricular fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia storm, and 3 bradyarrhythmias. Only 7/28 patients had previous arrhythmias. Our study showed significant correlation between disease severity and arrhythmia prevalence (p

To describe shock severity, physiological stabilization and organ failure in healthy women admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) after major peripartum hemorrhage (PPH).Retrospective, descriptive, single center study.Twenty-nine women median age 33 years (interquartile range [IQR] 30-36) and gravidity 5 pregnancies (IQR 3-9) were studied. One woman died. The median maternal admission hematocrit was 28.8 (IQR 25.7-32.4). Median transfusion rates were nine units of packed red blood cells (IQR 7-12.25), eight fresh frozen plasma (IQR 6-12), 17 platelets (IQR 10-22) and 15 cryoprecipitate (IQR 9.75-20). Blood pressure dropped significantly in the six hours following ICU admission. Nonetheless, lactate decreased from 3.23 mmol/L to 1.54 mmol/L within 24 h of ICU admission, renal and pulmonary function were unaffected and coagulopathy was never observed. Two-thirds of the women underwent hysterectomy. One-third underwent repeated surgery. The median length of ICU stay was48 h and that of mechanical ventilation was24 h. Increased transfusion rates correlated with lengthier ICU admission (p ≤ 0.01 regardless of blood product).Ongoing hemorrhage in women with severe PPH manifests subtly and often requires active intervention. Hemorrhage control is required to achieve physiological stabilization and minimize organ damage.

The use of a high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) was examined for different clinical indications in the critically ill.To describe a single center experience with HFNC in post-extubation critical care patients by using clinical indices.In this single center study, the authors retrospectively evaluated the outcome of patients who were connected to the HFNC after their extubation in the intensive care unit (ICU). At 48 hours after the extubation, the patients were divided into three groups: the group weaned from HFNC, the ongoing HFNC group, and the already intubated group.Of the 80 patients who were included, 42 patients were without HFNC support at 48 hours after extubation, 22 and 16 patients were with ongoing HFNC support and already intubated by this time frame, respectively. The mean ROX index (the ratio of SpO2 divided by fraction of inspired oxygen to respiratory rate) at 6 hours of the weaned group was 12.3 versus 9.3 in the ongoing HFNC group, and 8.5 in the reintubated group (P = 0.02). The groups were significantly different by the ICU length of stay, tracheostomy rate, and mortality.Among patients treated with HFNC post-extubation of those who had a higher ROX index were less likely to undergo reintubation.

Studies have demonstrated that high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) prevents intubation in acute hypoxic respiratory failure when compared with conventional oxygen therapy (COT). However, the data examining routine HFNC use in the immediate postoperative period are less clear.Is routine HFNC use superior to COT or noninvasive ventilation (NIV) use in preventing intubation in patients postoperatively?We comprehensively searched databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science) to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the effect of HFNC use with that of COT or NIV in the immediate postoperative period on reintubation, escalation of respiratory support, hospital mortality, ICU and hospital length of stay (LOS), postoperative hypoxemia, and treatment complications. We assessed individual study risk of bias (RoB) by using the revised Cochrane RoB 2 tool and rated certainty in outcomes by using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework.We included 11 RCTs enrolling 2,201 patients. Ten compared HFNC with COT and one with NIV. Compared with COT use, HFNC use in the postoperative period was associated with a lower reintubation rate (relative risk [RR], 0.32; 95% CI, 0.12-0.88; absolute risk reduction [ARR], 2.9%; moderate certainty) and decreased escalation of respiratory support (RR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.31-0.94; ARR, 5.8%; very low certainty). Post hoc subgroup analysis suggested that this effect was driven by patients who were obese and/or at high risk (subgroup differences, P = .06). We did not find differences in any of the other stated outcomes between HFNC and COT. HFNC was also no different from NIV in reintubation rate, respiratory therapy failure, or ICU LOS.With evidence of moderate certainty, prophylactic HFNC reduces reintubation and escalation of respiratory support compared with COT in the immediate postoperative period after cardiothoracic surgery. This effect is likely driven by patients who are at high risk and/or obese. These findings support postoperative prophylactic HFNC use in the patients who are at high risk and/or obese undergoing cardiothoracic surgery.

Hypoxemia is a hallmark of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity. We sought to determine predictors of hypoxemia and related adverse outcomes among patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in the two largest hospitals in Jerusalem, Israel, from 9 March through 16 July 2020. Patients were categorized as those who developed reduced (&lt, 94%) vs. preserved (≥94%) arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) within the first 48 h after arrival to the emergency department. Overall, 492 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients with reduced SpO2 were significantly older, had more comorbidities, higher body surface area (BSA) and body mass index (BMI), lower lymphocyte counts, impaired renal function, and elevated liver enzymes, c-reactive protein (CRP), and D-dimer levels as compared to those with preserved SpO2. In the multivariable regression analysis, older age (odds ratio (OR) 1.02 per year, p &lt, 0.001), higher BSA (OR 1.16 per 0.10 m2, p = 0.003) or BMI (OR 1.05 per 1 kg/m2, p = 0.011), lower lymphocyte counts (OR 1.72 per 1 × 103/μL decrease, p = 0.002), and elevated CRP (1.11 per 1 mg/dL increase, p &lt, 0.001) were found to be independent predictors of low SpO2. Severe hypoxemia requiring ventilatory support, older age, and pre-existing comorbidities, including underlying renal dysfunction and heart failure, were found to be significantly associated with in-hospital mortality. These findings suggest that assessment of predictors of hypoxemia early at the time of hospitalization with COVID-19 may be helpful in risk stratification and management.

The review is intended to serve as a practical clinical aid for the clinician called to maternal cardiac arrest.Anesthesia complications comprise an important cause of maternal cardiac arrest in developed countries Also predominant are hemorrhage and infections. Recent in-depth reports highlight fractionated care for pregnant women with cardiac and also probably neurological comorbidities. Pathology reports reveal a prevalence of thromboembolic phenomena that is higher than previously assumed but still rare. These are accompanied by particularly high mortality rates. The presenting rhythms of cardiac arrest which differ from most cardiac arrest populations, suggest the need for further in-depth investigation of both the causes and management of these cases. Despite these, outcomes are far better than those of most arrests. Key differences in treatment include are consideration of early airway management and possible medication complications. Pulseless electrical activity and VF should always alert to the possibility of hemorrhage. Echocardiography can diagnose thromboembolism. Also different are the need for Left uterine displacement and early delivery within after 4-5 min of initiation of resuscitation effort in cases with suspected compromise of the venous return or a poor likelihood of a good maternal outcome.Maternal cardiac arrest should be managed similarly to other adult cardiac arrests. At the same time its unique reversible causes require a different form of thought regarding diagnosis and treatment during the code.

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This systematic review and meta-analysis summarizes the safety and efficacy of high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) in patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. We performed a comprehensive search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science. We identified randomized controlled trials that compared HFNC to conventional oxygen therapy. We pooled data and report summary estimates of effect using relative risk for dichotomous outcomes and mean difference or standardized mean difference for continuous outcomes, with 95% confidence intervals. We assessed risk of bias of included studies using the Cochrane tool and certainty in pooled effect estimates using GRADE methods. We included 9 RCTs (n = 2093 patients). We found no difference in mortality in patients treated with HFNC (relative risk [RR] 0.94, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.67–1.31, moderate certainty) compared to conventional oxygen therapy. We found a decreased risk of requiring intubation (RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.74–0.99) or escalation of oxygen therapy (defined as crossover to HFNC in the control group, or initiation of non-invasive ventilation or invasive mechanical ventilation in either group) favouring HFNC-treated patients (RR 0.71, 95% CI 0.51–0.98), although certainty in both outcomes was low due to imprecision and issues related to risk of bias. HFNC had no effect on intensive care unit length of stay (mean difference [MD] 1.38 days more, 95% CI 0.90 days fewer to 3.66 days more, low certainty), hospital length of stay (MD 0.85 days fewer, 95% CI 2.07 days fewer to 0.37 days more, moderate certainty), patient reported comfort (SMD 0.12 lower, 95% CI 0.61 lower to 0.37 higher, very low certainty) or patient reported dyspnea (standardized mean difference [SMD] 0.16 lower, 95% CI 1.10 lower to 1.42 higher, low certainty). Complications of treatment were variably reported amongst included studies, but little harm was associated with HFNC use. In patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, HFNC may decrease the need for tracheal intubation without impacting mortality.

This article is one of ten reviews selected from the Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine 2018. Other selected articles can be found online at https://www.biomedcentral.com/collections/annualupdate2018. Further information about the Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine is available from http://www.springer.com/series/8901.

Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is an obstetrical catastrophe characterized by acute hypotension, hypoxia, and coagulopathy occurring during labor, cesarean section, post-delivery, or during amniocentesis. Thromboelastography (TEG) is a bedside test of global homeostasis and has seldom been used to study coagulation in AFE despite increasing popularity in other diseases. We report TEG usage as part of a treatment for patients with AFE.

Enoxaparin is frequently used as prophylaxis for deep venous thrombosis in critically ill patients.To evaluate three enoxaparin prophylactic regimens in critical care patients with and without administration of a vasopressor.Patients admitted to intensive care units (general and post-cardiothoracic surgery) without renal failure received, once daily, a subcutaneous fixed dose of 40 mg enoxaparin, a subcutaneous dose of 0.5 mg/kg enoxaparin, or an intravenous dose of 0.5 mg/kg enoxaparin. Over 5 days anti-activated factor X levels were collected before the daily administration and 4 hours after the injection.Overall, 16 patients received the subcutaneous fixed dose, 15 received the subcutaneous weight-based dosage, and 8 received the dose intravenously. Around two-fifths (38%) of the patients received vasopressors. There was no difference between anti-activated factor X levels regarding vasopressor administration. However, in all three groups the levels were outside the recommended range of 0.1 IU/ml and 0.3 IU/ml.Although not influenced by vasopressor administration, the enoxaparin regimens resulted in blood activity levels outside the recommended range.

The "dying patient" law in Israel deals with end- of-life decisions.This prospective study evaluates the ability of internal medicine staff to assess the short-term prognosis of recently admitted patients.During the period November 1st 2008 until January 6th 2009, the staff of the internal medicine wards received questionnaires regarding their recently admitted patients (up to 72 hours from the time of admission). The questionnaires included thestaff member's role assessment of each patient's prognosis for the next two weeks. Later, charts of the patients were examined for demographic data and outcome.Questionnaires regarding 599 patients were completed. The outcome was validated in 466 of these patients. Nurse's filled in 259 questionnaires, residents at early stage (before the first residency exam) completed 437, senior residents (after this exam] filled in 75 and senior/attending physicians filled in 329 patients' questionnaires. Overall, 69, patients died within 14 days. The sensitivity of assessment of short-term prognosis was low (0.38) but the specificity was very high (0.95). The positive predictive value was 0.61. Among physicians, the positive predictive value increased with seniority, but nurses had the highest positive predictive value scores (0.73). The negative predictive value was 0.89 without significant differences among the 4 studied groups.Internal medicine staff has limited capacity to accurately assess short-term prognosis of recently admitted patients.

While dialysis historically began as treatment intended for younger patients, it has, over time, increasingly been extended to treat elderly patients with a high comorbidity burden. Data on the outcomes of dialysis in these patients show that in some cases it confers no benefit and may be associated with functional decline. We describe a 101-year-old male patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD), admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with exacerbation of heart failure and sepsis. He experienced acute deterioration of renal function, with oliguria and acidosis. The patient’s healthcare proxy insisted that dialysis be initiated despite his extremely advanced age, citing the patient’s devout religious beliefs. He underwent 56 dialysis treatments over the course of ∼4 months after which he died as a result of septic and cardiogenic shock. Our case is unique, in that it may represent the oldest individual ever reported to start haemodialysis. It illustrates the ever-growing clinical and ethical challenges posed by the treatment of renal failure in the geriatric population.