A compendium of critical appraisals in Intensive Care Medicine research and related specialties
Antibiotic Treatment for 7 versus 14 Days in Patients with Bloodstream Infections BALANCE Investigators. NEJM 2024; DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2404991 Clinical Question In hospitalised patients with bloodstream infections (BSI), is antibiotic treatment for 7 days, compared to treatment for 14 days, non-inferior with respect to mortality at 90 days? Background BSI are common and a leading cause of mortality and morbidity, accounting […]
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Acetaminophen for Prevention and Treatment of Organ Dysfunction in Critically Ill Patients With Sepsis Ware. JAMA 2024. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.8772 Clinical Question In critically ill adult patients with sepsis does the administration of acetaminophen compared to placebo increase the number of days alive and free of organ support to day 28? Background Acetaminophen is a potent and specific haemoprotein reductant that can […]
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High-Flow Nasal Oxygen vs Noninvasive Ventilation in Patients with Acute Respiratory Failure RENOVATE and BRICNet Authors. JAMA 2024. doi: 10.1001/jama.2024.26244 Clinical Question In adult patients with acute respiratory failure does the use of high-flow nasal oxygen compared to noninvasive ventilation reduce the rate of endotracheal intubation or death at 7 days? Background Both high-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) and noninvasive ventilation […]
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In critically ill adult patients with presumed sepsis, does the administration of β-lactam antibiotics via a continuous infusion compared to an intermittent infusion reduce 90-day mortality?
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In patients with spontaneous intracranial haemorrhage (ICH), does the use of early minimally invasive surgery + standard management compared to standard management alone, result in better functional outcomes at 180 days?
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Effect of Noninvasive Airway Management of Comatose Patients with Acute Poisoning: A Randomized Clinical Trial Freund Y. JAMA. 2023. DOI: 10.1001/jama.2023.24391 Clinical Question In adults with a decreased conscious level from suspected acute poisoning, does withholding intubation versus routine practice reduce in-hospital death, and length of ICU stay and hospital stays? Background The decision to intubate a poisoned patient with […]
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In patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH), does lumbar CSF drainage compared to standard therapy improve clinical outcomes as measured by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 6 months?
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