Hypothermia versus Normothermia after Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest.

BACKGROUND: Targeted temperature management is recommended for patients after cardiac arrest, but the supporting evidence is of low certainty. METHODS: In an open-label trial with blinded assessment of outcomes, we randomly assigned 1900 adults with coma who had had an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest of presumed cardiac or unknown cause to undergo targeted hypothermia at 33°C, followed by controlled rewarming, or targeted normothermia with early treatment of fever (body temperature, ≥37.8°C). The primary outcome was death from any cause at 6 months. Secondary outcomes included functional outcome at 6 months as assessed with the modified Rankin scale. Prespecified subgroups were defined according to sex, age, initial cardiac rhythm, time to return of spontaneous circulation, and presence or absence of shock on admission. Prespecified adverse events were pneumonia, sepsis, bleeding, arrhythmia resulting in hemodynamic compromise, and skin complications related to the temperature management device. RESULTS: A total of 1850 patients were evaluated for the primary outcome. At 6 months, 465 of 925 patients (50%) in the hypothermia group had died, as compared with 446 of 925 (48%) in the normothermia group (relative risk with hypothermia, 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.94 to 1.14; P = 0.37). Of the 1747 patients in whom the functional outcome was assessed, 488 of 881 (55%) in the hypothermia group had moderately severe disability or worse (modified Rankin scale score ≥4), as compared with 479 of 866 (55%) in the normothermia group (relative risk with hypothermia, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.92 to 1.09). Outcomes were consistent in the prespecified subgroups. Arrhythmia resulting in hemodynamic compromise was more common in the hypothermia group than in the normothermia group (24% vs. 17%, P<0.001). The incidence of other adverse events did not differ significantly between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with coma after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, targeted hypothermia did not lead to a lower incidence of death by 6 months than targeted normothermia. (Funded by the Swedish Research Council and others; TTM2 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02908308.).

Ketamine Analgo-sedation for Mechanically Ventilated Critically Ill Adults: A Rapid Practice Guideline from the Saudi Critical Care Society and the Scandinavian Society of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine.

BACKGROUND: This Rapid Practice Guideline (RPG) aimed to provide evidence­based recommendations for ketamine analgo-sedation (monotherapy and adjunct) versus non-ketamine sedatives or usual care in adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients on invasive mechanical ventilation (iMV) and to identify knowledge gaps for future research. METHODS: The RPG panel comprised 23 multinational multidisciplinary panelists, including a patient representative. An up-to-date systematic review and meta-analysis constituted the evidence base. The Grading Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach, and the evidence-to-decision framework were used to assess the certainty of evidence and to move from evidence to decision/recommendation. The panel provided input on the balance of the desirable and undesirable effects, certainty of evidence, patients' values and preferences, costs, resources, equity, feasibility, acceptability, and research priorities. RESULTS: Data from 17 randomized clinical trials (n=898) and 9 observational studies (n=1934) were included. There was considerable uncertainty about the desirable and undesirable effects of ketamine monotherapy for analgo-sedation. The evidence was very low certainty and downgraded for risk of bias, indirectness, and inconsistency. Uncertainty or variability in values and preferences were identified. Costs, resources, equity, and acceptability were considered varied. Adjunctive ketamine therapy had no effect on mortality (within 28 days) (relative risk [RR] 0.99; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.76 to 1.27; low certainty), and may slightly reduce iMV duration (days) (mean difference [MD] -0.05 days; 95% CI -0.07 to -0.03; low certainty), and uncertain effect on the cumulative dose of opioids (mcg/kg/h morphine equivalent) (MD -11.6; 95% CI -20.4 to -2.7; very low certainty). Uncertain desirable effects (cumulative dose of sedatives and vasopressors) and undesirable effects (adverse event rate, delirium, arrhythmia, hepatotoxicity, hypersalivation, use of physical restraints) were also identified. A possibility of important uncertainty or variability in patient-important outcomes led to a balanced effect that favored neither the intervention nor the comparison. Cost, resources, and equity were considered varied. CONCLUSION: The RPG panel provided two conditional recommendations and suggested (1) against using ketamine as monotherapy analgo-sedation in critically ill adults on iMV when other analgo-sedatives are available; and (2) using ketamine as an adjunct to non-ketamine usual care sedatives (e.g., opioids, propofol, dexmedetomidine) or continuing with non-ketamine usual care sedatives alone. Large-scale trials should provide additional evidence.

Awake proning in patients with COVID-19-related hypoxemic acute respiratory failure: Endorsement by the Scandinavian Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine.

BACKGROUND: Awake proning in spontaneously breathing patients with hypoxemic acute respiratory failure was applied during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic to improve oxygenation while avoiding tracheal intubation. An updated systematic review and meta-analysis on the topic was published. METHODS: The Clinical practice committee (CPC) of the Scandinavian Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine (SSAI) assessed the clinical practice guideline "Awake proning in patients with COVID-19-related hypoxemic acute respiratory failure: A rapid practice guideline" for possible endorsement. The Appraisal of Guidelines for REsearch and Evaluation (AGREE) II tool was used. RESULTS: Four out of six SSAI CPC members completed the appraisal. The individual domain totals were: Scope and Purpose 90%; Stakeholder Involvement 89%; Rigour of Development 74%; Clarity of Presentation 85%; Applicability 75%; Editorial Independence 98%; Overall Assessment 79%. CONCLUSION: The SSAI CPC endorses the clinical practice guideline "Awake proning in patients with COVID-19-related hypoxemic acute respiratory failure: A rapid practice guideline". This guideline serves as a useful decision aid for clinicians caring for critically ill patients with COVID-19-related acute hypoxemic respiratory failure and can be used to provide guidance on use of prone positioning in this group of patients.

ESAIC focused guideline for the use of cardiac biomarkers in perioperative risk evaluation: Endorsement by the Scandinavian Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine.

BACKGROUND: The Clinical Practice Committee of the Scandinavian Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine endorses the clinical practice guideline "ESAIC focused guideline for the use of cardiac biomarkers in perioperative risk evaluation." The guideline can provide guidance to Nordic anaesthesiologists on the perioperative use of cardiac biomarkers in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery.

Ketamine analgo-sedation for mechanically ventilated critically ill adults: A rapid practice guideline from the Saudi Critical Care Society and the Scandinavian Society of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine.

BACKGROUND: This Rapid Practice Guideline (RPG) aimed to provide evidence-based recommendations for ketamine analgo-sedation (monotherapy and adjunct) versus non-ketamine sedatives or usual care in adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients on invasive mechanical ventilation (iMV) and to identify knowledge gaps for future research. METHODS: The RPG panel comprised 23 multinational multidisciplinary panelists, including a patient representative. An up-to-date systematic review and meta-analysis constituted the evidence base. The Grading Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach, and the evidence-to-decision framework were used to assess the certainty of evidence and to move from evidence to decision/recommendation. The panel provided input on the balance of the desirable and undesirable effects, certainty of evidence, patients' values and preferences, costs, resources, equity, feasibility, acceptability, and research priorities. RESULTS: Data from 17 randomized clinical trials (n = 898) and nine observational studies (n = 1934) were included. There was considerable uncertainty about the desirable and undesirable effects of ketamine monotherapy for analgo-sedation. The evidence was very low certainty and downgraded for risk of bias, indirectness, and inconsistency. Uncertainty or variability in values and preferences were identified. Costs, resources, equity, and acceptability were considered varied. Adjunctive ketamine therapy had no effect on mortality (within 28 days) (relative risk [RR] 0.99; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.76 to 1.27; low certainty), and may slightly reduce iMV duration (days) (mean difference [MD] -0.05 days; 95% CI -0.07 to -0.03; low certainty), and uncertain effect on the cumulative dose of opioids (mcg/kg/h morphine equivalent) (MD -11.6; 95% CI -20.4 to -2.7; very low certainty). Uncertain desirable effects (cumulative dose of sedatives and vasopressors) and undesirable effects (adverse event rate, delirium, arrhythmia, hepatotoxicity, hypersalivation, use of physical restraints) were also identified. A possibility of important uncertainty or variability in patient-important outcomes led to a balanced effect that favored neither the intervention nor the comparison. Cost, resources, and equity were considered varied. CONCLUSION: The RPG panel provided two conditional recommendations and suggested (1) against using ketamine as monotherapy analgo-sedation in critically ill adults on iMV when other analgo-sedatives are available; and (2) using ketamine as an adjunct to non-ketamine usual care sedatives (e.g., opioids, propofol, dexmedetomidine) or continuing with non-ketamine usual care sedatives alone. Large-scale trials should provide additional evidence.

Effects of closed loop ventilation on ventilator settings, patient outcomes and ICU staff workloads - a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Lung protective ventilation is considered standard of care in the intensive care unit. However, modifying the ventilator settings can be challenging and is time consuming. Closed loop modes of ventilation are increasingly attractive for use in critically ill patients. With closed loop ventilation, settings that are typically managed by the ICU professionals are under control of the ventilator's algorithms. OBJECTIVES: To describe the effectiveness, safety, efficacy and workload with currently available closed loop ventilation modes. DESIGN: Systematic review of randomised clinical trials. DATA SOURCES: A comprehensive systematic search in PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Central register of Controlled Trials search was performed in January 2023. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Randomised clinical trials that compared closed loop ventilation with conventional ventilation modes and reported on effectiveness, safety, efficacy or workload. RESULTS: The search identified 51 studies that met the inclusion criteria. Closed loop ventilation, when compared with conventional ventilation, demonstrates enhanced management of crucial ventilator variables and parameters essential for lung protection across diverse patient cohorts. Adverse events were seldom reported. Several studies indicate potential improvements in patient outcomes with closed loop ventilation; however, it is worth noting that these studies might have been underpowered to conclusively demonstrate such benefits. Closed loop ventilation resulted in a reduction of various aspects associated with the workload of ICU professionals but there have been no studies that studied workload in sufficient detail. CONCLUSIONS: Closed loop ventilation modes are at least as effective in choosing correct ventilator settings as ventilation performed by ICU professionals and have the potential to reduce the workload related to ventilation. Nevertheless, there is a lack of sufficient research to comprehensively assess the overall impact of these modes on patient outcomes, and on the workload of ICU staff.

Nonsedation or Light Sedation in Critically Ill, Mechanically Ventilated Patients.

BACKGROUND: In critically ill, mechanically ventilated patients, daily interruption of sedation has been shown to reduce the time on ventilation and the length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU). Data on whether a plan of no sedation, as compared with a plan of light sedation, has an effect on mortality are lacking. METHODS: In a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial, we assigned, in a 1:1 ratio, mechanically ventilated ICU patients to a plan of no sedation (nonsedation group) or to a plan of light sedation (i.e., to a level at which the patient was arousable, defined as a score of -2 to -3 on the Richmond Agitation and Sedation Scale [RASS], on which scores range from -5 [unresponsive] to +4 [combative]) (sedation group) with daily interruption. The primary outcome was mortality at 90 days. Secondary outcomes were the number of major thromboembolic events, the number of days free from coma or delirium, acute kidney injury according to severity, the number of ICU-free days, and the number of ventilator-free days. Between-group differences were calculated as the value in the nonsedation group minus the value in the sedation group. RESULTS: A total of 710 patients underwent randomization, and 700 were included in the modified intention-to-treat analysis. The characteristics of the patients at baseline were similar in the two trial groups, except for the score on the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II, which was 1 point higher in the nonsedation group than in the sedation group, indicating a greater chance of in-hospital death. The mean RASS score in the nonsedation group increased from -1.3 on day 1 to -0.8 on day 7 and, in the sedation group, from -2.3 on day 1 to -1.8 on day 7. Mortality at 90 days was 42.4% in the nonsedation group and 37.0% in the sedated group (difference, 5.4 percentage points; 95% confidence interval [CI], -2.2 to 12.2; P = 0.65). The number of ICU-free days and of ventilator-free days did not differ significantly between the trial groups. The patients in the nonsedation group had a median of 27 days free from coma or delirium, and those in the sedation group had a median of 26 days free from coma or delirium. A major thromboembolic event occurred in 1 patient (0.3%) in the nonsedation group and in 10 patients (2.8%) in the sedation group (difference, -2.5 percentage points; 95% CI, -4.8 to -0.7 [unadjusted for multiple comparisons]). CONCLUSIONS: Among mechanically ventilated ICU patients, mortality at 90 days did not differ significantly between those assigned to a plan of no sedation and those assigned to a plan of light sedation with daily interruption. (Funded by the Danish Medical Research Council and others; NONSEDA ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01967680.).

Echocardiography in shock.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of this study was to illustrate the varying roles of echocardiography in all phases of shock ranging from a rapid, diagnostic tool at the bedside, to a tool for monitoring the adequacy and effects of shock treatment and finally for identification of patients suitable for de-escalation of therapy. RECENT FINDINGS: Echocardiography has become an indispensable tool for establishing diagnosis in patients with shock. It is also important for assessing the adequacy of treatment such as fluid resuscitation, vasopressors and inotropes by providing integrated information on cardiac contractility and systemic flow conditions, particularly when used in conjunction with other methods of advanced haemodynamic monitoring. Apart from a traditional, diagnostic role, it may be used as an advanced, albeit intermittent, monitoring tool. Examples include the assessment of heart-lung interactions in mechanically ventilated patients, fluid responsiveness, vasopressor adequacy, preload dependence in ventilator-induced pulmonary oedema and indications for and monitoring during extracorporeal life support. Emerging studies also illustrate the role of echocardiography in de-escalation of shock treatment. SUMMARY: This study provides the reader with a structured review on the uses of echocardiography in all phases of shock treatment.

Therapeutic S100A8/A9 blockade inhibits myocardial and systemic inflammation and mitigates sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The triggering factors of sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction (SIMD) are poorly understood and are not addressed by current treatments. S100A8/A9 is a pro-inflammatory alarmin abundantly secreted by activated neutrophils during infection and inflammation. We investigated the efficacy of S100A8/A9 blockade as a potential new treatment in SIMD. METHODS: The relationship between plasma S100A8/A9 and cardiac dysfunction was assessed in a cohort of 62 patients with severe sepsis admitted to the intensive care unit of Linköping University Hospital, Sweden. We used S100A8/A9 blockade with the small-molecule inhibitor ABR-238901 and S100A9-/- mice for therapeutic and mechanistic studies on endotoxemia-induced cardiac dysfunction in mice. RESULTS: In sepsis patients, elevated plasma S100A8/A9 was associated with left-ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction and increased SOFA score. In wild-type mice, 5 mg/kg of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced rapid plasma S100A8/A9 increase and acute LV dysfunction. Two ABR-238901 doses (30 mg/kg) administered intraperitoneally with a 6 h interval, starting directly after LPS or at a later time-point when LV dysfunction is fully established, efficiently prevented and reversed the phenotype, respectively. In contrast, dexamethasone did not improve cardiac function compared to PBS-treated endotoxemic controls. S100A8/A9 inhibition potently reduced systemic levels of inflammatory mediators, prevented upregulation of inflammatory genes and restored mitochondrial function in the myocardium. The S100A9-/- mice were protected against LPS-induced LV dysfunction to an extent comparable with pharmacologic S100A8/A9 blockade. The ABR-238901 treatment did not induce an additional improvement of LV function in the S100A9-/- mice, confirming target specificity. CONCLUSION: Elevated S100A8/A9 is associated with the development of LV dysfunction in severe sepsis patients and in a mouse model of endotoxemia. Pharmacological blockade of S100A8/A9 with ABR-238901 has potent anti-inflammatory effects, mitigates myocardial dysfunction and might represent a novel therapeutic strategy for patients with severe sepsis.

Reliability of pulse pressure and stroke volume variation in assessing fluid responsiveness in the operating room: a metanalysis and a metaregression.

BACKGROUND: Pulse pressure and stroke volume variation (PPV and SVV) have been widely used in surgical patients as predictors of fluid challenge (FC) response. Several factors may affect the reliability of these indices in predicting fluid responsiveness, such as the position of the patient, the use of laparoscopy and the opening of the abdomen or the chest, combined FC characteristics, the tidal volume (Vt) and the type of anesthesia. METHODS: Systematic review and metanalysis of PPV and SVV use in surgical adult patients. The QUADAS-2 scale was used to assess the risk of bias of included studies. We adopted a metanalysis pooling of aggregate data from 5 subgroups of studies with random effects models using the common-effect inverse variance model. The area under the curve (AUC) of pooled receiving operating characteristics (ROC) curves was reported. A metaregression was performed using FC type, volume, and rate as independent variables. RESULTS: We selected 59 studies enrolling 2,947 patients, with a median of fluid responders of 55% (46-63). The pooled AUC for the PPV was 0.77 (0.73-0.80), with a mean threshold of 10.8 (10.6-11.0). The pooled AUC for the SVV was 0.76 (0.72-0.80), with a mean threshold of 12.1 (11.6-12.7); 19 studies (32.2%) reported the grey zone of PPV or SVV, with a median of 56% (40-62) and 57% (46-83) of patients included, respectively. In the different subgroups, the AUC and the best thresholds ranged from 0.69 and 0.81 and from 6.9 to 11.5% for the PPV, and from 0.73 to 0.79 and 9.9 to 10.8% for the SVV. A high Vt and the choice of colloids positively impacted on PPV performance, especially among patients with closed chest and abdomen, or in prone position. CONCLUSION: The overall performance of PPV and SVV in operating room in predicting fluid responsiveness is moderate, ranging close to an AUC of 0.80 only some subgroups of surgical patients. The grey zone of these dynamic indices is wide and should be carefully considered during the assessment of fluid responsiveness. A high Vt and the choice of colloids for the FC are factors potentially influencing PPV reliability. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO (CRD42022379120), December 2022. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=379120.

Perioperative troponin surveillance in major noncardiac surgery: a narrative review.

Myocardial injury is now an acknowledged complication in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery. Heterogeneity in the definitions of myocardial injury contributes to difficulty in evaluating the value of cardiac troponins (cTns) measurement in perioperative care. Pre-, post-, and peri-operatively increased cTns are encompassed by the umbrella term 'myocardial injury' and are likely to reflect different pathophysiological mechanisms. Increased cTns are independently associated with cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular complications, poor short-term and long-term cardiovascular outcomes, and increased mortality. Preoperative measurement of cTns aids preoperative risk stratification beyond the Revised Cardiac Risk Index. Systematic measurement detects acute perioperative increases and allows early identification of acute myocardial injury. Common definitions and standards for reporting are a prerequisite for designing impactful future trials and perioperative management strategies.

Outcomes following perioperative red blood cell transfusion in patients undergoing elective major abdominal surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Perioperative red blood cell transfusion is a double-edged sword for surgical patients. While transfusion of red cells can increase oxygen delivery by increasing haemoglobin levels, its impact on short- and long-term postoperative outcomes, particularly in patients undergoing elective major abdominal surgery, is unclear. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on the effect of perioperative blood transfusions on postoperative outcomes in elective major abdominal surgery. PubMed, Cochrane, and Scopus databases were searched for studies with data collected between January 1, 2000 and June 6, 2020. The primary outcome was short-term mortality, including all-cause 30-day or in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included long-term all-cause mortality, any morbidity, infectious complications, overall survival, and recurrence-free survival. No randomised controlled trials were found. Thirty-nine observational studies were identified, of which 37 were included in the meta-analysis. RESULTS: Perioperative blood transfusion was associated with short-term all-cause mortality (odds ratio [OR] 2.72, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.89-3.91, P<0.001), long-term all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 1.35, 95% CI 1.09-1.67, P=0.007), any morbidity (OR 2.18, 95% CI 1.81-2.64, P<0.001), and infectious complications (OR 1.90, 95% CI 1.60-2.26, P<0.001). Perioperative blood transfusion remained associated with short-term mortality in the sensitivity analysis after excluding studies that did not control for preoperative anaemia (OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.59-3.24, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative blood transfusion in patients undergoing elective major abdominal surgery is associated with poorer short- and long-term postoperative outcomes. This highlights the need to implement patient blood management strategies to manage and preserve the patient's own blood and reduce the need for red blood cell transfusion. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO (CRD42021254360).

Factors related to COVID-19 mortality among three Swedish intensive care units-A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Mortality due to acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF) in patients with coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) differs across units, regions, and countries. These variations may be attributed to several factors, including comorbidities, acute physiological derangement, disease severity, treatment, ethnicity, healthcare system strain, and socioeconomic status. This study aimed to explore the features of patient characteristics, clinical management, and staffing that may be related to mortality among three intensive care units (ICUs) within the same hospital system in South Sweden. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed ICU patients with COVID-19 and AHRF in Region Jönköping County, Sweden. The primary outcome was the 90-day mortality rate. We used univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses to investigate the relationship of predictors with outcomes. RESULTS: Between March 15, 2020, and May 31, 2021, 331 patients with AHRF and COVID-19 were admitted to the three ICUs. There were differences in disease severity, treatments, process-related factors, and socioeconomic factors between the units. These factors were related to 90-day mortality. After multivariable adjustment, age, severity of acute respiratory distress syndrome, and the number of nurses per ICU-bed independently predicted 90-day mortality. CONCLUSION: Age, disease severity, and nurse staffing, but not treatment or socioeconomic status, were independently associated with 90-day mortality among critically ill patients with AHRF due to COVID-19. We also identified variations in care related processes, which may be a modifiable risk factor and warrants future investigation.

ISTH guidelines for antithrombotic treatment in COVID-19: Endorsement by the Scandinavian Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine.

The Clinical Practice Committee of the Scandinavian Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine endorses the ISTH guidelines for antithrombotic treatment in COVID-19. This evidence-based guideline serves as a useful decision aid for Nordic anaesthesiologists caring for patients with COVID-19.

Saudi Critical Care Society clinical practice guidelines on the prevention of venous thromboembolism in adults with trauma: Endorsement by the Scandinavian Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine.

The Clinical Practice Committee of the Scandinavian Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine endorses the clinical practice guideline Saudi Critical Care Society clinical practice guidelines on the prevention of venous thromboembolism in adults with trauma: reviewed for evidence-based integrity and endorsed by the Scandinavian Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine. This clinical practice guideline serves as a useful decision aid for Nordic anaesthesiologists managing adult trauma patients in the operating room and in the intensive care unit.

Awake proning in patients with COVID-19-related hypoxemic acute respiratory failure: A rapid practice guideline.

This rapid practice guideline provides evidence-based recommendations for the use of awake proning in adult patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure due to COVID-19. The panel included 20 experts from 12 countries, including one patient representative, and used a strict conflict of interest policy for potential financial and intellectual conflicts of interest. Methodological support was provided by the guidelines in intensive care, development, and evaluation (GUIDE) group. Based on an updated systematic review, and the grading of recommendations, assessment, development, and evaluation (GRADE) method we evaluated the certainty of evidence and developed recommendations using the Evidence-to-Decision framework. We conducted an electronic vote, requiring >80% agreement amongst the panel for a recommendation to be adopted. The panel made a strong recommendation for a trial of awake proning in adult patients with COVID-19 related hypoxemic acute respiratory failure who are not invasively ventilated. Awake proning appears to reduce the risk of tracheal intubation, although it may not reduce mortality. The panel judged that most patients would want a trial of awake proning, although this may not be feasible in some patients and some patients may not tolerate it. However, given the high risk of clinical deterioration amongst these patients, awake proning should be conducted in an area where patients can be monitored by staff experienced in rapidly detecting and managing clinical deterioration. This RPG panel recommends a trial of awake prone positioning in patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure due to COVID-19.

A survey of preferences for respiratory support in the intensive care unit for patients with acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure.

BACKGROUND: When caring for mechanically ventilated adults with acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure (AHRF), clinicians are faced with an uncertain choice between ventilator modes allowing for spontaneous breaths or ventilation fully controlled by the ventilator. The preferences of clinicians managing such patients, and what motivates their choice of ventilator mode, are largely unknown. To better understand how clinicians' preferences may impact the choice of ventilatory support for patients with AHRF, we issued a survey to an international network of intensive care unit (ICU) researchers. METHODS: We distributed an online survey with 32 broadly similar and interlinked questions on how clinicians prioritise spontaneous or controlled ventilation in invasively ventilated patients with AHRF of different severity, and which factors determine their choice. RESULTS: The survey was distributed to 1337 recipients in 12 countries. Of these, 415 (31%) completed the survey either fully (52%) or partially (48%). Most respondents were identified as medical specialists (87%) or physicians in training (11%). Modes allowing for spontaneous ventilation were considered preferable in mild AHRF, with controlled ventilation considered as progressively more important in moderate and severe AHRF. Among respondents there was strong support (90%) for a randomised clinical trial comparing spontaneous with controlled ventilation in patients with moderate AHRF. CONCLUSIONS: The responses from this international survey suggest that there is clinical equipoise for the preferred ventilator mode in patients with AHRF of moderate severity. We found strong support for a randomised trial comparing modes of ventilation in patients with moderate AHRF.

ESAIC focused guideline for the use of cardiac biomarkers in perioperative risk evaluation.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, there has been increasing focus on the use of cardiac biomarkers in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery. AIMS: The aim of this focused guideline was to provide updated guidance regarding the pre-, post- and combined pre-and postoperative use of cardiac troponin and B-type natriuretic peptides in adult patients undergoing noncardiac surgery. METHODS: The guidelines were prepared using Grading of Recommendations Assessment Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology. This included the definition of critical outcomes, a systematic literature search, appraisal of certainty of evidence, evaluation of biomarker measurement in terms of the balance of desirable and undesirable effects including clinical outcomes, resource use, health inequality, stakeholder acceptance, and implementation. The panel differentiated between three different scopes of applications: cardiac biomarkers as prognostic factors, as tools for risk prediction, and for biomarker-enhanced management strategies. RESULTS: In a modified Delphi process, the task force defined 12 critical outcomes. The systematic literature search resulted in over 25,000 hits, of which 115 full-text articles formed the body of evidence for recommendations. The evidence appraisal indicated heterogeneity in the certainty of evidence across critical outcomes. Further, there was relevant gradient in the certainty of evidence across the three scopes of application. Recommendations were issued and if this was not possible due to limited evidence, clinical practice statements were produced. CONCLUSION: The ESAIC focused guidelines provide guidance on the perioperative use of cardiac troponin and B-type natriuretic peptides in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery, for three different scopes of application.

Enhancing students' understanding of cardiac physiology by using 4D visualization.

Difficulties in achieving knowledge about physiology and anatomy of the beating heart highlight the challenges with more traditional pedagogical methods. Recent research regarding anatomy education has mainly focused on digital three-dimensional models. However, these pedagogical improvements may not be entirely applicable to cardiac anatomy and physiology due to the multidimensional complexity with moving anatomy and complex blood flow. The aim of this study was therefore to evaluate whether high quality time-resolved anatomical images combined with realistic blood flow simulations improve the understanding of cardiac structures and function. Three time-resolved datasets were acquired using time-resolved computed tomography and blood flow was computed using Computational Fluid Dynamics. The anatomical and blood flow information was combined and interactively visualized using volume rendering on an advanced stereo projection system. The setup was tested in interactive lectures for medical students. Ninety-seven students participated. Summative assessment of examinations showed significantly improved mean score (18.1 ± 4.5 vs 20.3 ± 4.9, p = 0.002). This improvement was driven by knowledge regarding myocardial hypertrophy and pressure-velocity differences over a stenotic valve. Additionally, a supplementary formative assessment showed significantly more agreeing answers than disagreeing answers (p < 0.001) when the participants subjectively evaluated the contribution of the visualizations to their education and knowledge. In conclusion, the use of simultaneous visualization of time-resolved anatomy data and simulated blood flow improved medical students' results, with a particular effect on understanding of cardiac physiology and these simulations may be useful educational tools for teaching complex anatomical and physiological concepts.

A plea for personalization of the hemodynamic management of septic shock.

Although guidelines provide excellent expert guidance for managing patients with septic shock, they leave room for personalization according to patients' condition. Hemodynamic monitoring depends on the evolution phase: salvage, optimization, stabilization, and de-escalation. Initially during the salvage phase, monitoring to identify shock etiology and severity should include arterial pressure and lactate measurements together with clinical examination, particularly skin mottling and capillary refill time. Low diastolic blood pressure may trigger vasopressor initiation. At this stage, echocardiography may be useful to identify significant cardiac dysfunction. During the optimization phase, echocardiographic monitoring should be pursued and completed by the assessment of tissue perfusion through central or mixed-venous oxygen saturation, lactate, and carbon dioxide veno-arterial gradient. Transpulmonary thermodilution and the pulmonary artery catheter should be considered in the most severe patients. Fluid therapy also depends on shock phases. While administered liberally during the resuscitation phase, fluid responsiveness should be assessed during the optimization phase. During stabilization, fluid infusion should be minimized. In the de-escalation phase, safe fluid withdrawal could be achieved by ensuring tissue perfusion is preserved. Norepinephrine is recommended as first-line vasopressor therapy, while vasopressin may be preferred in some patients. Essential questions remain regarding optimal vasopressor selection, combination therapy, and the most effective and safest escalation. Serum renin and the angiotensin I/II ratio may identify patients who benefit most from angiotensin II. The optimal therapeutic strategy for shock requiring high-dose vasopressors is scant. In all cases, vasopressor therapy should be individualized, based on clinical evaluation and blood flow measurements to avoid excessive vasoconstriction. Inotropes should be considered in patients with decreased cardiac contractility associated with impaired tissue perfusion. Based on pharmacologic properties, we suggest as the first test a limited dose of dobutamine, to add enoximone or milrinone in the second line and substitute or add levosimendan if inefficient. Regarding adjunctive therapies, while hydrocortisone is nowadays advised in patients receiving high doses of vasopressors, patients responding to corticosteroids may be identified in the future by the analysis of selected cytokines or specific transcriptomic endotypes. To conclude, although some general rules apply for shock management, a personalized approach should be considered for hemodynamic monitoring and support.