Multisite validation of a host response signature for predicting likelihood of bacterial and viral infections in patients with suspected influenza.

BACKGROUND: Indiscriminate use of antimicrobials and antimicrobial resistance is a public health threat. IMX-BVN-1, a 29-host mRNA classifier, provides two separate scores that predict likelihoods of bacterial and viral infections in patients with suspected acute infections. We validated the performance of IMX-BVN-1 in adults attending acute health care settings with suspected influenza. METHOD: We amplified 29-host response genes in RNA extracted from blood by NanoString nCounter. IMX-BVN-1 calculated two scores to predict probabilities of bacterial and viral infections. Results were compared against the infection status (no infection; highly probable/possible infection; confirmed infection) determined by clinical adjudication. RESULTS: Amongst 602 adult patients (74.9% ED, 16.9% ICU, 8.1% outpatients), 7.6% showed in-hospital mortality and 15.5% immunosuppression. Median IMX-BVN-1 bacterial and viral scores were higher in patients with confirmed bacterial (0.27) and viral (0.62) infections than in those without bacterial (0.08) or viral (0.21) infection, respectively. The AUROC distinguishing bacterial from nonbacterial illness was 0.81 and 0.87 when distinguishing viral from nonviral illness. The bacterial top quartile's positive likelihood ratio (LR) was 4.38 with a rule-in specificity of 88%; the bacterial bottom quartile's negative LR was 0.13 with a rule-out sensitivity of 96%. Similarly, the viral top quartile showed an infinite LR with rule-in specificity of 100%; the viral bottom quartile had a LR of 0.22 and a rule-out sensitivity of 85%. CONCLUSION: IMX-BVN-1 showed high accuracy for differentiating bacterial and viral infections from noninfectious illness in patients with suspected influenza. Clinical utility of IMX-BVN will be validated following integration into a point of care system.

The Role of Transcriptomics in Redefining Critical Illness.

This article is one of ten reviews selected from the Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine 2023. Other selected articles can be found online at  https://www.biomedcentral.com/collections/annualupdate2023 . Further information about the Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine is available from  https://link.springer.com/bookseries/8901 .

The Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) Score: has the time come for an update?

The Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score was developed more than 25 years ago to provide a simple method of assessing and monitoring organ dysfunction in critically ill patients. Changes in clinical practice over the last few decades, with new interventions and a greater focus on non-invasive monitoring systems, mean it is time to update the SOFA score. As a first step in this process, we propose some possible new variables that could be included in a SOFA 2.0. By so doing, we hope to stimulate debate and discussion to move toward a new, properly validated score that will be fit for modern practice.

Pathway and Network Analyses Identify Growth Factor Signaling and MMP9 as Potential Mediators of Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Severe COVID-19.

Patients with preexisting metabolic disorders such as diabetes are at a higher risk of developing severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Mitochondrion, the very organelle that controls cellular metabolism, holds the key to understanding disease progression at the cellular level. Our current study aimed to understand how cellular metabolism contributes to COVID-19 outcomes. Metacore pathway enrichment analyses on differentially expressed genes (encoded by both mitochondrial and nuclear deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)) involved in cellular metabolism, regulation of mitochondrial respiration and organization, and apoptosis, was performed on RNA sequencing (RNASeq) data from blood samples collected from healthy controls and patients with mild/moderate or severe COVID-19. Genes from the enriched pathways were analyzed by network analysis to uncover interactions among them and up- or downstream genes within each pathway. Compared to the mild/moderate COVID-19, the upregulation of a myriad of growth factor and cell cycle signaling pathways, with concomitant downregulation of interferon signaling pathways, were observed in the severe group. Matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9) was found in five of the top 10 upregulated pathways, indicating its potential as therapeutic target against COVID-19. In summary, our data demonstrates aberrant activation of endocrine signaling in severe COVID-19, and its implication in immune and metabolic dysfunction.

Bedside assessment of left atrial pressure in critical care: a multifaceted gem.

Evaluating left atrial pressure (LAP) solely from the left ventricular preload perspective is a restrained approach. Accurate assessment of LAP is particularly relevant when pulmonary congestion and/or right heart dysfunction are present since it is the pressure most closely related to pulmonary venous pressure and thus pulmonary haemodynamic load. Amalgamation of LAP measurement into assessment of the 'transpulmonary circuit' may have a particular role in differentiating cardiac failure phenotypes in critical care. Most of the literature in this area involves cardiology patients, and gaps of knowledge in application to the bedside of the critically ill patient remain significant. Explored in this review is an overview of left atrial physiology, invasive and non-invasive methods of LAP measurement and their potential clinical application.

The Role of Mitochondria in the Immune Response in Critical Illness.

This article is one of ten reviews selected from the Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine 2022. Other selected articles can be found online at https://www.biomedcentral.com/collections/annualupdate2022 . Further information about the Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine is available from https://link.springer.com/bookseries/8901 .

Association Between Premorbid Beta-Blocker Exposure and Sepsis Outcomes-The Beta-Blockers in European and Australian/American Septic Patients (BEAST) Study.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the effect of premorbid ß-blocker exposure on mortality and organ dysfunction in sepsis. DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. SETTING: ICUs in Australia, the Czech Republic, and the United States. PATIENTS: Total of 4,086 critical care patients above 18 years old with sepsis between January 2014 and December 2018. INTERVENTION: Premorbid beta-blocker exposure. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: One thousand five hundred fifty-six patients (38%) with premorbid ß-blocker exposure were identified. Overall ICU mortality rate was 15.1%. In adjusted models, premorbid ß-blocker exposure was associated with decreased ICU (adjusted odds ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.66-0.97; p = 0.025) and hospital (adjusted odds ratio, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.71-0.99; p = 0.033) mortality. The risk reduction in ICU mortality of 16% was significant (hazard ratio, 0.84, 95% CI, 0.71-0.99; p = 0.037). In particular, exposure to noncardioselective ß-blocker before septic episode was associated with decreased mortality. Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score analysis showed that premorbid ß-blocker exposure had potential benefits in reducing respiratory and neurologic dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that ß-blocker exposure prior to sepsis, especially to noncardioselective ß blockers, may be associated with better outcome. The findings suggest prospective evaluation of ß-blocker use in the management of sepsis.

Correction to: The association between premorbid beta blocker exposure and mortality in sepsis-a systematic review.

In the publication of this article [1], there was an error in the cited reference 23 [2] within the Family Name. This has now been updated in the original article.

Recommendations for core critical care ultrasound competencies as a part of specialist training in multidisciplinary intensive care: a framework proposed by the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM).

Critical care ultrasound (CCUS) is an essential component of intensive care practice. Although existing international guidelines have focused on training principles and determining competency in CCUS, few countries have managed to operationalize this guidance into an accessible, well-structured programme for clinicians training in multidisciplinary intensive care. We seek to update and reaffirm appropriate CCUS scope so that it may be integrated into the international Competency-based Training in Intensive Care Medicine. The resulting recommendations offer the most contemporary and evolved set of core CCUS competencies for an intensive care clinician yet described. Importantly, we discuss the rationale for inclusion but also exclusion of competencies listed. BACKGROUND/AIM: Critical care ultrasound (CCUS) is an essential component of intensive care practice. The purpose of this consensus document is to determine those CCUS competencies that should be a mandatory part of training in multidisciplinary intensive care. METHODS: A three-round Delphi method followed by face-to-face meeting among 32 CCUS experts nominated by the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine. Agreement of at least 90% of experts was needed in order to enlist a competency as mandatory. RESULTS: The final list of competencies includes 15 echocardiographic, 5 thoracic, 4 abdominal, deep vein thrombosis diagnosis and central venous access aid. CONCLUSION: The resulting recommendations offer the most contemporary and evolved set of core CCUS competencies for an intensive care clinician yet described.

Reassessment of the Accuracy of Cardiac Doppler Pulmonary Artery Pressure Measurements in Ventilated ICU Patients: A Simultaneous Doppler-Catheterization Study.

OBJECTIVES: Doppler echocardiography is a well-recognized technique for the noninvasive evaluation of pulmonary artery pressure; however, little information is available concerning patients receiving mechanical ventilation. Furthermore, recent studies have debatable results regarding the relevance of this technique to assess pulmonary artery pressure. The aim of our study was to reassess the accuracy of Doppler echocardiography to evaluate pulmonary artery pressure and to predict pulmonary hypertension. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: Amiens ICU, France. PATIENTS: ICU patients receiving mechanical ventilation. INTERVENTIONS: In 40 patients, we simultaneously recorded Doppler echocardiography variables (including tricuspid regurgitation and pulmonary regurgitation) and invasive central venous pressure, systolic pulmonary artery pressure, diastolic pulmonary artery pressure, and mean pulmonary artery pressure. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Systolic pulmonary artery pressure assessed from the tricuspid regurgitation derived maximal pressure gradient added to the central venous pressure demonstrated the best correlation with the invasive systolic pulmonary artery pressure (r = 0.87) with a small bias (-3 mm Hg) and a precision of 9 mm Hg. A Doppler echocardiography systolic pulmonary artery pressure greater than 39 mm Hg predicted pulmonary hypertension (mean pulmonary artery pressure ≥ 25 mm Hg) with 100% sensitivity and specificity. Tricuspid regurgitation maximal velocity greater than 2.82 m/s as well as tricuspid regurgitation pressure gradient greater than 32 mm Hg predicted the presence of pulmonary hypertension. Pulmonary regurgitation was recorded in 10 patients (25%). No correlation was found between pulmonary regurgitation velocities and either mean pulmonary artery pressure or diastolic pulmonary artery pressure. Pulmonary acceleration time less than 57 ms and isovolumic relaxation time less than 40 ms respectively predicted pulmonary hypertension 100% of the time and had a 100% negative predictive value. CONCLUSIONS: Tricuspid regurgitation maximal velocity pressure gradient added to invasive central venous pressure accurately estimates systolic pulmonary artery pressure and mean pulmonary artery pressure in ICU patients receiving mechanical ventilation and may predict pulmonary hypertension.

Echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular diastolic pressure.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Knowledge of the left ventricular pressures throughout the cardiac cycle is of considerable assistance in managing a haemodynamically unstable patient. Invasive pressure measurement is the only accurate way to analyze ventricular diastolic pressures but this is not feasible outside the catheterization laboratory, whereas the use of a pulmonary artery catheter or Doppler echocardiography, using surrogate measurements, is available at the bedside. The ever-increasing trend toward noninvasive monitoring puts echocardiography at the forefront and considerable effort has been made to define its role in this setting. RECENT FINDINGS: Ongoing refinement of guidelines used to evaluate left ventricular diastolic function have provided a pathway for critical care physicians to better understand how to evaluate left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and/or left atrial pressures. A number of recent studies have investigated the accuracy of combined or single echocardiographic parameters in determining left ventricular diastolic pressures as compared to those obtained invasively. Specifically selected combined parameters have moderate accuracy. SUMMARY: The recent literature on the clinical application of echocardiography on the accuracy in determining left ventricular noninvasively demonstrates that although far from perfect, it can be a very useful tool.

Subjective right ventricle assessment by echo qualified intensive care specialists: assessing agreement with objective measures.

BACKGROUND: Right ventricle (RV) size and function assessment by echocardiography (echo) is a standard tool in the ICU. Frequently subjective assessment is performed, and guidelines suggest its utility in adequately trained clinicians. We aimed to compare subjective (visual) assessment of RV size and function by ICU physicians, with advanced qualifications in echocardiography, vs objective measurements. METHODS: ICU specialists with a qualification in advanced echocardiography reviewed 2D echo clips from critically ill patients on mechanical ventilation with PaO2:FiO2 < 300. Subjective assessments of RV size and function were made independently using a three-class categorical scale. Agreement (B-score) and bias (p value) were analysed using objective echo measurements. RV size assessment included RV end-diastolic area (EDA) and diameters. RV function assessment included fractional area change, S', TAPSE and RV free wall strain. Binary and ordinal analysis was performed. RESULTS: Fifty-two clinicians reviewed 2D images from 80 patients. Fair agreement was seen with objective measures vs binary assessment of RV size (RV EDA 0.26 [p < 0.001], RV dimensions 0.29 [p = 0.06]) and function (RV free wall strain 0.27 [p < 0.001], TAPSE 0.27 [p < 0.001], S' 0.29 [p < 0.001], FAC 0.31 [p = 0.16]). However, ordinal data analysis showed poor agreement with RV dimensions (0.11 [p = 0.06]) and RV free wall strain (0.14 [p = 0.16]). If one-step disagreement was allowed, agreement was good (RV dimensions 0.6 [p = 0.06], RV free wall strain 0.6 [p = 0.16]). Significant overestimation of severity of abnormalities was seen with subjective assessment vs RV EDA, TAPSE, S' and fractional area change. CONCLUSION: Subjective (visual) assessment of RV size and function, by ICU specialists trained in advanced echo, can be fairly reliable for the initial exclusion of significant RV pathology. It seems prudent to avoid subjective RV assessment in isolation.

The association between premorbid beta blocker exposure and mortality in sepsis-a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The effect of premorbid ß-blocker exposure on clinical outcomes in patients with sepsis is not well characterized. We aimed to examine the association between premorbid ß-blocker exposure and mortality in sepsis. METHODS: EMBase, MEDLINE, and Cochrane databases were searched for all studies of premorbid ß-blocker and sepsis. The search was last updated on 22 June 2019. Two reviewers independently assessed, selected, and abstracted data from studies reporting chronic ß-blocker use prior to sepsis and mortality. Main data extracted were premorbid ß-blocker exposure, mortality, study design, and patient data. Two reviewers independently assessed the risk of bias and quality of evidence. RESULTS: In total, nine studies comprising 56,414 patients with sepsis including 6576 patients with premorbid exposure to ß-blockers were eligible. For the primary outcome of mortality, two retrospective studies reported adjusted odds ratios showing a reduction in mortality with premorbid ß-blocker exposure. One study showed that premorbid ß-blocker exposure decreases mortality in patients with septic shock. Another study showed that continued ß-blockade during sepsis is associated with decreased mortality. CONCLUSION: This systematic review suggests that ß-blocker exposure prior to sepsis is associated with reduced mortality. There was insufficient data to conduct a bona fide meta-analysis. Whether the apparent reduction in mortality may be attributed to the mitigation of catecholamine excess is unclear. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO, CRD42019130558 registered June 12, 2019.

Feasibility of myocardial perfusion assessment with contrast echocardiography: can it improve recognition of significant coronary artery disease in the ICU?

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of significant coronary artery disease (CAD) and acute coronary artery occlusion in ICU can be difficult, and an inappropriate intervention is potentially harmful. Myocardial contrast perfusion echo (MCPE) examines ultrasound contrast intensity replenishment curves in individual myocardial segments measuring peak contrast intensity and slope of return as an index of myocardial blood flow (units = intensity of ultrasound per second [dB/s]). MCPE could possibly serve as a triage tool to invasive angiography by estimating blood flow in the myocardium. We sought to assess feasibility in the critically ill and if MCPE could add incremental value to the clinical acumen in predicting significant CAD. METHODS: This is a single-centre, prospective, observational study. Inclusion criteria were as follows: adult ICU patients with troponin I > 50 ng/L and cardiology referral being made for consideration of inpatient angiography. Exclusion criteria were as follows: poor echo windows (2 patients), known ischaemic heart disease, and contrast contraindications. Seven cardiologists and 6 intensivists blinded to outcome assessed medical history, ECG, troponin, and 2D echo images to estimate likelihood of significant CAD needing intervention (clinical acumen). Clinical acumen, quantitative MCPE, and subjective (visual) MCPE were assessed to predict significant CAD. RESULTS: Forty patients underwent MCPE analysis, 6 (15%) had significant CAD, and median 11 of 16 segments (IQR 8-13) could be imaged (68.8% [IQR 50-81]). No adverse events occurred. A significant difference was found in overall MCPE blood flow estimation between those diagnosed with significant CAD and those without (3.3 vs 2.4 dB/s, p = 0.050). A MCPE value of 2.8 dB/s had 67% sensitivity and 88% specificity in detecting significant CAD. Clinical acumen showed no association in prediction of CAD (OR 0.6, p = 0.09); however, if quantitative or visual MCPE analysis was included, a significant association occurred (OR 17.1, p = 0.01; OR 23.0, p = 0.01 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: MCPE is feasible in the critically ill and shows better association with predicting significant CAD vs clinical acumen alone. MCPE adds incremental value to initial assessment of the presence of significant CAD which may help guide those who require urgent angiography.

Therapeutic Engagement and Treatment Progress: Developing and Testing an In-Treatment Measure of Client Engagement Among Sex Offenders in a Group Program.

The engagement process of sexual offenders in group-based cognitive-behavioral treatment is an important area of study. Disclosure management style (DMS), a model developed from grounded-theory research of men undertaking a prototypical program, provides a framework to assess engagement in treatment. Our goal was to develop a quantitative measure of DMS, to test its reliability and validity, and to evaluate its utility as a measure of treatment progress by examining relationships between DMS and established measures of treatment change. We studied a sample of men (N = 93) who undertook an intensive prison-based treatment program in New Zealand. Variables included DMS measures, psychometric measures of dynamic risk and treatment change, static risk, clinician rating of treatment progress, and recidivism outcomes. We found that (a) DMS shows an acceptable level of agreement between independent raters, (b) DMS-based ratings of engagement changed over the course of treatment and were correlated with measures of change based on offender self-reports, and (c) offenders showed heterogeneity in terms of their trajectories of change as assessed by DMS ratings.

Moderate and Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: Hemodynamic and Cardiac Effects of an Open Lung Strategy With Recruitment Maneuver Analyzed Using Echocardiography.

OBJECTIVES: Open lung ventilation with a recruitment maneuver could be beneficial for acute respiratory distress syndrome patients. However, the increased airway pressures resulting from the recruitment maneuver may induce cardiac dysfunction, limiting the benefit of this maneuver. We analyzed the effect of a recruitment maneuver and decremental positive end-expiratory pressure titration on cardiac function. SETTINGS: Medical ICU Amiens, France. PATIENTS: Twenty patients with moderate to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome INTERVENTIONS:: Patients underwent a stepwise recruitment maneuver with respiratory evaluation and echocardiography assessment of cardiac function including longitudinal strain at baseline, peak positive end-expiratory pressure of recruitment maneuver (positive end-expiratory pressure 40 cm H2O), and at "optimal" positive end-expiratory pressure. The patients were divided into two groups based on change on the PaO2/FIO2 ratio (nonresponders < 50%; responders ≥ 50%). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: At peak positive end-expiratory pressure during the recruitment maneuver, the arterial pressure, cardiac output, left ventricular size decreased and right ventricular size increased. The left ventricular ejection fraction decreased from 60% ± 13% to 48% ± 18% (p = 0.05). Both left and right ventricular global longitudinal strain were impaired (-15.8% ± 4.5% to -11% ± 4.7% and -19% ± 5% to -14% ± 6% [p = 0.05] respectively). Fifty percent of patients were nonresponders and demonstrated a lower hemodynamic tolerance to the recruitment maneuver than responders. Optimal positive end-expiratory pressure was 14 ± 5 cm H2O (vs 11 ± 4 cm H2O at baseline), and PaO2/FIO2 ratio increased from 111 ± 25 to 197 ± 89 mm Hg (p < 0.0001). All hemodynamic variables returned to their baseline value after the recruitment maneuver despite a higher positive end-expiratory pressure. CONCLUSIONS: An open lung strategy with a stepwise recruitment maneuver permitted a higher positive end-expiratory pressure and improved oxygenation without any cardiac impairment. The recruitment maneuver was associated with mild and transient, cardiac dysfunction, with nonresponders demonstrating poorer tolerance.

Feasibility of biventricular 3D transthoracic echocardiography in the critically ill and comparison with conventional parameters.

BACKGROUND: Transthoracic 3D cardiac analysis is enticing in its potential simplicity and wealth of data available. It has been suggested to be accurate vs magnetic resonance imaging in relatively stable patients, but feasibility and agreement with conventional echocardiographic assessment of stroke volume (SV) have not been thoroughly assessed in critically ill patients, who are traditionally harder to image. The objectives of this study were to compare 3D transthoracic volumetric analysis vs Doppler assessment of SV (which is suggested to be accurate in the critically ill) and Simpson's biplane assessment in a cohort typical of the intensive care unit (ICU), where accurate assessment is important: mechanically ventilated patients with a significant ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) mismatch. We hypothesised that it would be feasible but might lack agreement. METHODS: Patients were imaged within 24 hours of admission. Inclusion criteria were adult patients, V/Q mismatch present (defined as a ratio of arterial oxygen partial pressure to fractional inspired oxygen < 300), and mechanically ventilated with Doppler SV assessment possible. Biventricular echocardiographic volumetric analysis was performed using Siemens SC2000 along with standard Simpson's biplane and Doppler SV assessment. 3D images were unacceptable if two segments or more were unable to be seen in two volumetric planes. 3D left ventricular (3DLV) and 3D right ventricular (3DRV) analyses were performed with the Tomtec Imaging and Siemens Acuson platforms, respectively. RESULTS: Ninety-two patients were included (83 in sinus, 9 in atrial fibrillation). 3DLV and 3DRV analyses were feasible in 72% and 55% of patients, respectively; however, they underestimated SV compared with Doppler by 2.6 ml (± 10.4) and 4.1 ml (± 15.4), respectively. Limits of agreement for 2D, 3DLV and 3DRV volumetric analysis techniques were large. CONCLUSIONS: 3DLV and 3DRV volumetric analyses appear feasible (obtainable) in the majority of mechanically ventilated ICU patients. Compared with the Doppler method, 3DLV and 3DRV volumetric analyses underestimate SV. The large limits of agreement between the methods also cast doubt on their comparability. Given the scenarios in which SV analysis is required (e.g., assessment of cardiac performance), our study cautions against the use of 3D SV clinically.

A novel immune biomarker IFI27 discriminates between influenza and bacteria in patients with suspected respiratory infection.

Host response biomarkers can accurately distinguish between influenza and bacterial infection. However, published biomarkers require the measurement of many genes, thereby making it difficult to implement them in clinical practice. This study aims to identify a single-gene biomarker with a high diagnostic accuracy equivalent to multi-gene biomarkers.In this study, we combined an integrated genomic analysis of 1071 individuals with in vitro experiments using well-established infection models.We identified a single-gene biomarker, IFI27, which had a high prediction accuracy (91%) equivalent to that obtained by multi-gene biomarkers. In vitro studies showed that IFI27 was upregulated by TLR7 in plasmacytoid dendritic cells, antigen-presenting cells that responded to influenza virus rather than bacteria. In vivo studies confirmed that IFI27 was expressed in influenza patients but not in bacterial infection, as demonstrated in multiple patient cohorts (n=521). In a large prospective study (n=439) of patients presented with undifferentiated respiratory illness (aetiologies included viral, bacterial and non-infectious conditions), IFI27 displayed 88% diagnostic accuracy (AUC) and 90% specificity in discriminating between influenza and bacterial infections.IFI27 represents a significant step forward in overcoming a translational barrier in applying genomic assay in clinical setting; its implementation may improve the diagnosis and management of respiratory infection.

Surviving Sepsis Campaign: International Guidelines for Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock: 2016.

OBJECTIVE: To provide an update to "Surviving Sepsis Campaign Guidelines for Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock: 2012." DESIGN: A consensus committee of 55 international experts representing 25 international organizations was convened. Nominal groups were assembled at key international meetings (for those committee members attending the conference). A formal conflict-of-interest (COI) policy was developed at the onset of the process and enforced throughout. A stand-alone meeting was held for all panel members in December 2015. Teleconferences and electronic-based discussion among subgroups and among the entire committee served as an integral part of the development. METHODS: The panel consisted of five sections: hemodynamics, infection, adjunctive therapies, metabolic, and ventilation. Population, intervention, comparison, and outcomes (PICO) questions were reviewed and updated as needed, and evidence profiles were generated. Each subgroup generated a list of questions, searched for best available evidence, and then followed the principles of the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system to assess the quality of evidence from high to very low, and to formulate recommendations as strong or weak, or best practice statement when applicable. RESULTS: The Surviving Sepsis Guideline panel provided 93 statements on early management and resuscitation of patients with sepsis or septic shock. Overall, 32 were strong recommendations, 39 were weak recommendations, and 18 were best-practice statements. No recommendation was provided for four questions. CONCLUSIONS: Substantial agreement exists among a large cohort of international experts regarding many strong recommendations for the best care of patients with sepsis. Although a significant number of aspects of care have relatively weak support, evidence-based recommendations regarding the acute management of sepsis and septic shock are the foundation of improved outcomes for these critically ill patients with high mortality.

Pearls and pitfalls in comprehensive critical care echocardiography.

Critical care echocardiography is developing rapidly with an increasing number of specialists now performing comprehensive studies using Doppler and other advanced techniques. However, this imaging can be challenging, interpretation is far from simple in the complex critically ill patient and mistakes can be easy to make. We aim to address clinically relevant areas where potential errors may occur and suggest methods to hopefully improve accuracy of imaging and interpretation.