Critical care medicine
Audio Summaries

Epilepsy After Antipsychotic Prescription in Survivors of Traumatic Brain Injury: A Population-Based Cohort Study

Sep 21, 2026

The authors aimed to determine whether the choice of antipsychotic medication following hospitalization for traumatic brain injury (TBI) is linked to the risk of developing post-traumatic epilepsy in older adults. Their retrospective cohort study found no significant difference in epilepsy risk between those prescribed haloperidol or risperidone compared to quetiapine, although high mortality rates in the cohort may affect the reliability of these findings. Further research is suggested to confirm these results.

Epidemiology of Critically Ill Patients With Cirrhosis Undergoing Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy: A Contemporaneous Parallel Analysis of the HRS-HARMONY and CRRTnet Registries

Sep 17, 2026

The authors aimed to describe the epidemiology and clinical processes of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) in critically ill patients with cirrhosis or acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). They found that higher prescribed CRRT doses were associated with increased in-hospital mortality, and a significant portion of survivors were transitioned to intermittent hemodialysis before discharge. Overall, the study highlights the high mortality rates in this patient population and the common use of citrate anticoagulation despite potential risks.

Mortality Effect of Peripheral Perfusion-Guided Resuscitation in Vasodilatory Shock: A Systematic Review and Dual Frequentist-Bayesian Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials

Sep 11, 2026

The authors aimed to evaluate the impact of peripheral perfusion-guided resuscitation on 28-day mortality in adults experiencing vasodilatory shock. Their systematic review and meta-analysis of seven randomized controlled trials found a pooled risk ratio suggesting a potential reduction in mortality, although this did not reach statistical significance. The Bayesian analysis indicated a high probability that the intervention may be beneficial, highlighting the need for further adequately powered studies to clarify its clinical significance.

Landscape of Biomarker Use in Critically Ill Patients: Systematic Evidence Map of Acute Kidney Injury and Implications for Practice

Sep 11, 2026

The authors aimed to create systematic evidence maps of novel biomarkers for acute kidney injury (AKI) in critically ill patients to inform future clinical practices. They reviewed 1,116 studies, identifying key contexts such as mixed critically ill populations and cardiac surgery, and highlighted the need for practical trials to enhance the implementation of these biomarkers in patient care. The findings underscore the existing evidence on biomarker accuracy while pointing out the necessity for further research to improve clinical decision-making regarding AKI management.

Comprehensive Driving Assessment to Enable Driving Resumption in Adults Recovering From Critical Illness: A Prospective Cohort Study

Sep 11, 2026

The study aimed to assess the driving ability of adult ICU survivors two months post-discharge and to evaluate factors influencing driving resumption over the following year. Results indicated that while 79% of participants were deemed capable of driving, only 45% had resumed driving by the end of the study, with many requiring adaptations or retraining. The comprehensive driving assessment was well-received, highlighting a significant gap between assessed capability and actual driving resumption.

Evaluation of a Rapid Immunoassay for Molecular Subphenotype Classification in Pediatric Acute Cardiorespiratory Failure

Sep 7, 2026

The authors aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a rapid immunoassay for classifying molecular subphenotypes in critically ill children with acute cardiorespiratory failure and hyperglycemia. They compared the performance of this rapid assay to conventional multiplex platforms and developed a new classifier based on rapid immunoassay data, which successfully predicted subphenotypes and demonstrated significant prognostic implications, including differences in mortality and response to treatment. The study suggests that rapid immunoassay-based classification can facilitate real-time subphenotype identification in clinical settings, potentially guiding targeted therapies.

Ethical and Methodological Features of Cluster Randomized Trials in Critical Care Settings: A Systematic Review

Sep 7, 2026

The authors aimed to describe the ethical and methodological features of cluster randomized trials (CRTs) conducted in critical care settings, highlighting the complexities involved in this research design. Their systematic review of 102 CRTs revealed significant ethical and methodological shortcomings, including issues with consent processes and trial registration, suggesting a need for improved reporting standards and adherence to ethical frameworks to enhance the integrity of CRTs in critical care research.

Predictors of Critical Illness During Different COVID-19 Pandemic Periods Compared With Seasonal Influenza

Sep 7, 2026

The study aimed to identify predictors of critical illness in COVID-19 patients over different pandemic periods and compare these with seasonal influenza cases in Sweden. It found that while COVID-19 hospitalization rates were consistently higher than those for influenza, demographic and clinical characteristics converged during later stages of the pandemic, particularly during the Omicron period, which resembled influenza patterns. Key predictors of severe illness included advanced age, male sex, chronic comorbidities, and unvaccinated status for COVID-19.

Ketamine for Analgosedation in Mechanically Ventilated Adults: A Double-Blind Randomized Trial

Sep 7, 2026

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of low-dose ketamine infusion as an adjunct for analgosedation in mechanically ventilated adults in the ICU. The results indicated that ketamine infusion was associated with a significant reduction in hourly opioid requirements compared to placebo, while showing no differences in secondary outcomes such as delirium or adverse events. The authors suggest that further larger trials are needed to explore its impact on other patient-centered outcomes.

Feasibility and Operator-Reported Utility of Transesophageal Lung Ultrasound As an Adjunct to Resuscitative Transesophageal Echocardiography in the Evaluation of Shock: A Multicenter Observational Study

Sep 4, 2026

The authors aimed to evaluate the feasibility and diagnostic utility of integrating transesophageal lung ultrasound (TELUS) with resuscitative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in assessing mechanically ventilated adults with shock. The study found that TELUS significantly improved the identification of shock etiology compared to TEE alone, although changes in clinical management did not reach statistical significance. The findings suggest that TELUS can be effectively incorporated into TEE procedures, warranting further research to explore its potential clinical benefits.