Fluid Resuscitation Dilemma in End-stage Renal Disease Patients Presenting with Sepsis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: This study aims to investigate the safety and efficacy of guideline-directed fluid resuscitation (GDFR) compared with conservative fluid management in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with sepsis by evaluating 90-day mortality and intubation rate. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review was conducted across multiple databases using specific keywords and controlled vocabulary. The search strategy, implemented until October 1, 2023, aimed to identify studies examining fluid resuscitation in ESRD patients with sepsis. The review process was streamlined using Covidence software. A fourth reviewer resolved discrepancies in study inclusion. A random-effects model with the generic Mantel-Haenszel method was preferred for integrating odds ratios (ORs). Sensitivity analysis and publication bias analysis were performed. Results: Of the 1274 identified studies, 10 were selected for inclusion, examining 1184 patients, 593 of whom received GDFR. Four studies were selected to investigate the intubation rate, including 304 patients. No significant mortality or intubation rate difference was spotted between both groups [OR = 1.23; confidence interval (CI) = 0.92-1.65; I2 = 0% and OR = 1.91; CI = 0.91-4.04]. In most studies, sensitivity analysis using the leave-one-out approach revealed higher mortality and intubation rates. The Egger test results indicated no statistically significant publication bias across the included studies. Conclusion: Our research contradicts the common assumption about the effectiveness of GDFR for sepsis patients with ESRD. It suggests that this approach, while not superior to the conservative strategy, may potentially be harmful.

The calcium-clot connection: investigating the association between primary hyperparathyroidism and acute venous thromboembolism.

Primary hyperthyroidism (PHPT) is a relatively uncommon disease and leads to increased calcium levels. Ionized calcium, known as clotting Factor IV, may lead to overt coagulation cascade activation, increasing the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). National Inpatient Sample Database was used to sample individuals with primary hyperparathyroidism, and baseline demographics and comorbidities were collected using ICD-10 codes. Patients with missing data and age less than 18 were excluded. Moreover, patients with other types of hyperparathyroidism and risk factors for VTE, such as malignancy, thrombophilia, chronic kidney and liver disease, fractures, trauma, oral contraceptive/steroid use, and organ transplant, were excluded. Greedy propensity matching using R was performed to match patients with and without primary hyperparathyroidism on age, race, gender, and 10 other comorbidities, including chronic deep venous thromboembolism. Univariate analysis pre- and post-match were performed. Binary logistic regression was performed after matching to assess whether primary hyperparathyroidism was an independent risk factor for acute VTE. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Out of 460,529 patients included in the study, 1114 (6.5%) had PHPT. Baseline comorbidities were more common in the PHPT group. On univariate analysis, patients with PHPT were more likely to have acute VTE (2.5% vs. 1.4%; p < 0.001). After 1:1 matching, PHPT patients were twice as likely to have Acute VTE. (OR: 2.1 [1.08-4.1]; p < 0.025). These findings suggest an association between PHPT and VTE, which should be further investigated to prevent the increasing incidence of VTE and its recurrence.

Hungatella hathewayi bacteremia due to acute appendicitis: A case report and a narrative review.

Hungatella species, including Hungatella hathewayi and Hungatella effluvii, previously identified as part of the Clostridium genus, are anaerobic bacteria primarily residing in the gut microbiome, with infrequent implications in human infections. This article presents the case of an 87-year-old Asian male admitted for a hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state with septic shock secondary to Hungatella hathewayi bacteremia originating from acute appendicitis. Remarkably, the bacterium was detected in the blood 48 hours before the emergence of clinical and radiographic evidence of acute appendicitis. Additionally, we conducted a literature review to identify all documented human infections caused by Hungatella species. Timely microbial identification in such cases is essential for implementing targeted antibiotic therapy and optimizing clinical outcomes.

Pulmonary hypertension: An unexplored risk factor for stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (Afib) is one of the most common and significant risk factors for stroke, with the CHADsVAsc score used as the tool for stroke risk assessment. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) has not been studied as an independent risk factor for stroke in individuals with Afib. METHODS: In this retrospective case-control study, National Inpatient Sample Database was used to sample individuals with atrial fibrillation, and baseline demographics and comorbidities were collected using ICD-10 codes. Patients with missing data, age under 18, history of thromboembolic diseases, or stroke were excluded. Greedy propensity matching using R was performed to match patients with and without PH on age, race, gender, and 19 other comorbidities, including anticoagulation use. Binary logistic regression was performed after matching to assess whether PH was an independent risk factor for stroke. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Of the 2,421,545 patients included in the study, 158,545 (6.5%) had PH. PH patients were more likely to be elderly, females, and smokers. Comorbidities were more common in the PH group. Patients with PH were more likely to have an ischemic stroke (3.6% vs. 2.9%, p<0.001), hemorrhagic stroke (2.2% vs. 0.7%, p<0.001), and transient ischemic attack (TIA) (2.3% vs. 0.7%, p<0.001). After matching, the presence of PH was associated with increased ischemic stroke (OR: 1.2 [1.1-1.2]; p<0.001), hemorrhagic stroke (OR: 2.4 [2.1-2.6]; p<0.001) and TIA (OR: 2.2 [2.0-2.4]; p<0.001). PH patients also had increased length of stay (ß = 0.8; p<0.001) mortality (OR: 1.1 [1.0-1.2]; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Apart from demonstrating the deleterious effect of PH on mortality and length of hospital stay, this study is the first to report on such a large scale that PH independently increases the incidence of all types of strokes in patients with Afib.

Endobronchial aspergilloma-a comprehensive literature review with focus on diagnosis and treatment modalities.

Endobronchial aspergilloma (EBA) is a rare manifestation of pulmonary infection with Aspergillus spp. Comprised of hyphae, mucus, and cellular debris, the massive fungus overgrowth can lead to obstructive pneumonitis in large airways, manifesting as cough, dyspnea, hemoptysis, or weight loss. The aim of this paper is to review the literature on endobronchial aspergilloma to further elucidate this disease entity and to classify it as a non-invasive form of pulmonary aspergillosis. A descriptive analysis was performed on articles on PubMed database that contained the key word "endobronchial aspergilloma." A total of 28 cases were obtained. Four articles were excluded as they were not available in the English format. Although EBA is extremely rare, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of endobronchial masses in immunocompromised patients. There is a potential for the disease entity to progress to tracheobronchitis and fulminant respiratory failure. As such, early detection with bronchoscopy, biopsy, and culture is required to confirm pulmonary aspergillosis. Current treatment regimens remain to be optimized, though piecemeal resection of the mycetoma with bronchoscopic techniques with the addition of systemic antifungals and their combinations has been reported as efficacious.

A Review of Endobronchial-Ultrasound-Guided Transbronchial Intranodal Forceps Biopsy and Cryobiopsy.

Benign and malignant mediastinal lesions are not infrequently encountered in clinical practice. Mediastinoscopy has long been considered the gold standard in evaluating mediastinal pathology. Since its introduction into clinical practice, endobronchial-ultrasonography-guided transbronchial fine needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) has replaced mediastinoscopy as the initial procedure of choice to evaluate mediastinal lesions and to stage lung cancer. Its diagnostic yield in benign mediastinal lesions and less common malignancies, however, has remained limited. This has led different proceduralists to investigate additional procedures to improve the diagnostic yield of EBUS-TBNA. In recent years, different published reports concluded that the addition of EBUS-guided intranodal forceps biopsy (IFB) and transbronchial cryobiopsy (TBCB) to EBUS-TBNA increases the diagnostic yield especially in benign mediastinal lesions and uncommon mediastinal malignancies. The purpose of this review is to describe how EBUS-IFB and EBUS-TBCB are performed, to compare their diagnostic yields, and to discuss their limitations and their potential complications. In addition, the review will conclude with a proposed algorithm on how to incorporate EBUS-IFB and EBUS-TBCB into clinical practice.

Teratoma to Angiosarcoma: A Metamorphosis in the Mediastinum.

We describe a rare and remarkable transformation of an immature mediastinal teratoma into high-grade angiosarcoma in a 21-year-old male. Mediastinal teratomas, particularly immature ones, are exceedingly rare, representing a small fraction of germ cell tumors (GCTs). Our case describes the clinical journey of the patient, who initially presented with acute chest pain and was subsequently diagnosed with an immature teratoma following imaging studies and elevated tumor markers. Despite an initial positive response to cisplatin-based chemotherapy, surveillance imaging revealed liver masses, which a biopsy confirmed as angiosarcoma. This transformation underscores the aggressive nature of immature teratomas and the propensity for sarcomatous differentiation, particularly in the mediastinum. The case contributes valuable insight into the management and surveillance of mediastinal non-seminoma germ cell tumors (MNGCT), a subset of GCTs with limited literature. We believe this case is the first in the literature to describe a transformation from an immature teratoma in the mediastinum to a high-grade angiosarcoma.

Excessive daytime sleepiness in late pregnancy may not always be normal: results from a cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: Many changes that normally occur during pregnancy disrupt sleep and may lead to excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). However, given that pregnancy may also predispose to the development of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), we sought to investigate whether EDS may be associated with snoring, gasping, or apneas, further suggesting SDB. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of women in the immediate postpartum period was conducted. Participants answered questions from the multivariable apnea prediction index regarding snoring, gasping, and witnessed apneas in the last 3 months of pregnancy. Participants were also asked to answer Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) questions, and a score 0-24 was calculated (>10 considered abnormal). Medical history and medication use were obtained both by history and review of the medical record. RESULTS: Out of 1,000 women recruited, 990 women answered the ESS questionnaire completely. Mean prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) was 26.1 ± 6.2 with 21.7 % of the sample having a prepregnancy BMI ≥30. Mean ESS score was 7.1 ± 3.9, and 1.7 % of the total sample scored 16 or greater. ESS increased significantly with age, BMI, and neck circumference. All three symptoms of SDB were associated with higher mean ESS scores. In a multiple linear regression analysis, loud snoring, gasping, and apneas were statistically significant independent predictors of mean ESS score. CONCLUSIONS: EDS measured by ESS is a common finding in pregnancy. Snoring, gasping, and apneas appear to be independent predictors of mean ESS scores.

Rare capture: The detection of synchronous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and lung adenocarcinoma diagnosed by effusion cytology.

The diagnosis of two primary synchronous malignancies in a single pleural effusion cytology specimen is exceedingly rare. We describe, to the best of our knowledge, the first reported case of lung adenocarcinoma and suspected relapse of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) diagnosed from a solitary effusion sample.

Breathless Revelation: Unmasking Acute Myeloid Leukemia Through Acute Respiratory Failure.

Establishing a diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in a patient presenting with acute respiratory failure is rare. Here, we present a case of AML initially appearing as hypoxemic respiratory failure linked to presumed community-acquired pneumonia. This case report unravels the intricate diagnostic odyssey of an atypical AML presentation masquerading as an acute respiratory failure, accentuating the multifaceted challenges clinicians encounter in discerning the actual underlying pathology amidst the haze of mimicry. Upon meticulous diagnostic expedition, infection was ruled out as a cause of respiratory failure, and the patient underwent a malignancy workup, ultimately culminating in the diagnosis. This case underscores the importance of broader diagnostic vigilance. Comprehensive assessments, combined with interdisciplinary collaboration, emerged as crucial for accurate diagnosis, emphasizing the need to consider hematologic pathologies despite seemingly unrelated clinical presentations.

Outcomes of negative multidetector computed tomography with pulmonary angiography in pregnant women suspected of pulmonary embolism.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Validated clinical pretest probability tools are lacking in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) in pregnancy, and the negative predictive value of D-dimers in this population has not been appropriately tested. The goal of this study was to evaluate outcomes of negative multidetector computed tomography with pulmonary angiography (MDCT-PA) for the diagnosis of PE in pregnancy in the absence of such measures. METHODS: Imaging and medical record data, including clinical presentation, risk factors, and all imaging studies performed for the diagnosis of venous thromboembolism (VTE), of 343 pregnant women with PE were reviewed retrospectively. The imaging was performed at a large tertiary-care women's hospital between 2004 and 2008 using the same-generation MDCT scanner. Primary outcome measure was the occurrence of VTE events 3 months following MDCT-PA or 6 weeks postpartum (whichever came later). RESULTS: Dyspnea (75.6%) and chest pain (45.6%) were the most common complaints. Fifty-seven percent of patients had at least one additional risk factor other than pregnancy. Body mass index >30 was the most common risk factor (49%). Eight scans were positive for PE and one patient with a negative MDCT-PA had a positive upper-extremity ultrasound, yielding a diagnosis of VTE in 2.9%. Negative scans were technically adequate in 79.1%, technically limited in 20%, and inconclusive in 0.9%. Follow-up showed no symptomatic VTE events after index imaging. CONCLUSION: This study showed that MDCT-PA may safely exclude clinically significant PE in pregnancy.

Endobronchial ultrasonography with transbronchial needle aspiration to sample a solitary substernal thyroid nodule: a new approach.

Sampling of solitary thyroid nodules (STNs) is a common procedure performed for cytological diagnosis. The easiest and safest method is ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (US-FNAB). This technique is usually performed under local anaesthesia in an office setting. In contrast, sampling a substernal STN could prove to be more difficult and problematic, and sometimes requires more invasive procedures. We describe a case of substernal thyroid nodule, where malignancy was excluded using endobronchial ultrasonography with transbronchial fine needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA). We emphasise the feasibility and safety of EBUS-TBNA in sampling retrosternal thyroid nodules. In appropriate settings, this procedure can help avoid more invasive testing, and subsequently decrease the cost and complications.

The use of a PleurX catheter in the management of recurrent benign pleural effusion: a concise review.

Recurrent pleural effusion (RPE) can be encountered in various benign conditions such as inflammatory, infectious, or other systemic diseases (e.g., congestive heart failure (CHF), hepatic hydrothorax, post lung transplants, post coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, and chronic exudative pleurisy). Each condition is treated based on its unique pathophysiologic characteristics, and medical management is successful in the majority of patients. In rare circumstances, pleural effusions are rapidly recurring despite optimal medical therapy and patients have frequent hospitalisations that require repeated thoracenteses. Other than medical therapy and repeat thoracentesis, treatment options are limited to chest tube placement and chemical pleurodesis or, rarely, surgical pleurodesis. We conducted a literature review using PubMed and Google Scholar, finding 33 articles that were relevant to our topic over the last 30 years. In patients with recurrent benign pleural effusion that is refractory to medical management, the PleurX catheter seems to be a useful tool in relieving respiratory symptoms, decreasing the rate of hospitalisation and achieving pleurodesis.

Unusual presentation of pneumocystis pneumonia in an immunocompetent patient diagnosed by open lung biopsy.

Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is the most common opportunistic infection in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients. It is a fungal infection with Pneumocystis jiroveci which can be isolated from bronchoalveolar lavage of healthy subjects. The infection occurs mainly in HIV patients; with CD4 lymphocyte count drop to less than 200 cells/µL. PCP has been reported in non-HIV patients with other risk factors such as immunosuppressive medications, malignancies, and other inflammatory conditions. PCP has been rarely reported in immunocompetent subjects. However, in most of these patients, PCP occurred after a period of acute illness with bacterial pneumonia and antibiotic therapy. In this report, we describe a case of PCP in an immunocompetent patient with nonreactive HIV and no immunosuppressive risk factors. The patient had large pulmonary nodules discovered incidentally on chest film as preoperative evaluation for hip surgery. Bronchoalveolar lavage, transbronchial biopsies (TBB), and computed tomography (CT) guided needle biopsy were all negative for P. jiroveci. PCP diagnosis was made after open lung biopsy and wedge resection. To our knowledge, this is the first case of PCP in immunocompetent patient with negative BAL, TBB and CT guided biopsy. The diagnosis of PCP required open lung biopsy and the patient recovered without complications.

Cardiopulmonary Arrest After COVID-19 Vaccination: A Case Report.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emerged in Wuhan in 2019 and by far has affected the whole world, and many people have succumbed to the disease. Vaccination programs introduced around the globe are aiming to reduce morbidity, mortality, and disease spread. We report the case of a 59-year-old male who suffered from cardiopulmonary arrest post-COVID-19 mRNA booster vaccination with no history of any other cardiopulmonary disease. Association between myocarditis and mRNA COVID-19 vaccines have been previously reported. However, this is the first case of cardiopulmonary arrest post-COVID-19 booster vaccination. Further research and cases should be described to confirm if this relationship exists. We need further cases to find this temporal association as such cases can also increase vaccine hesitancy. However, vaccination-associated adverse events should be vigilantly monitored and evaluated from time to time as further reports emerge.

A Case of Left-Sided Infective Endocarditis of Multiple Native Valves Complicated by Valve Leaflet Perforation, Multiple Septic Emboli, Thromboembolic Events, and Cardiac Arrhythmias.

Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) can uncommonly cause native valve endocarditis. We present a case of left-sided infective endocarditis of native valves presenting with splenic, lung, and brain infarcts along with aortic and significant mitral valve involvement with mitral valve perforation. The patient was also found to be in atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation. Left-sided endocarditis is reported to cause brain and spleen infarcts but pulmonary embolisms are usually a complication of right-sided endocarditis. Atrial fibrillation is also known to increase mortality in patients with infective endocarditis.

Indwelling Pleural Catheter (IPC) for the Management of Hepatic Hydrothorax: The Known and the Unknown.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic hydrothorax (HH) is described as pleural effusion secondary to liver cirrhosis after ruling out other etiologies. We aim to assess the efficacy of an indwelling pleural catheter (IPC) placement in refractory HH in this systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: A comprehensive search of literature was performed from inception to December 2020. The authors reviewed, selected, and abstracted the data from eligible studies into Covidence, a systematic review software. Cochrane criteria was used to rate each study for the risk of bias. The data abstracted were described using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was evaluated using the I2 test. RESULTS: Ten studies involving a total of 269 patients were included. The studies were analyzed for the proportion of pleurodesis achieved, the average time to pleurodesis, total complication rate, pleural infection rate, and mortality. A proportion of 47% of the total subjects included achieved spontaneous pleurodesis in an average duration of 104.3 days. The frequency of total complication rate was noted to be 30.36%. The incidence of pleural cavity infection was described to be 12.4% and death resulting from complications of IPC was 3.35%. CONCLUSION: The current management options for the refractory pleural effusion in HH include repeated thoracenteses, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, surgical repair of defects in the diaphragm, and liver transplantation. However, the cost, eligibility, and availability can be some of the major concerns with these treatment modalities. With this meta-analysis, we conclude that IPCs can provide an alternative therapeutic option for spontaneous pleurodesis.

Efficacy of magnesium sulfate in the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease population: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Magnesium sulfate has been extensively used to treat asthma exacerbations, but its efficacy remains questionable in the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) population. The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of intravenous (IV) magnesium sulfate in COPD. A systemic review search was conducted on PubMed, Embase, and the Central Cochrane Registry. Randomized clinical trials were included with magnesium sulfate as an intervention arm in the COPD population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For continuous variables, standardized mean difference (SMD) and difference in means (MD) were calculated. For discrete variables, the Mantel-Haenszel (MH) odds ratio was used. For effect sizes, a confidence interval of 95% was used. A p-value of less than 0.05 was used for statistical significance. Analysis was done using both random and fixed effect models. Heterogeneity was evaluated using the I² statistic. RESULTS: Seven studies were included in the final analysis. In patients with acute exacerbations of COPD treated with IV magnesium, a significant increase in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) was observed (MD = 2.537 [0.717 to 4.357], p = 0.006), as well as in peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) (SMD = 1.073 [0.748 to 1.397], p < 0.001) using the fixed model. Similarly, residual volume decreased significantly in the IV magnesium group (MD = -0.470 [-0.884 to -0.056], p = 0.026). The hospitalization rate was also lower in the magnesium group, (MH odds ratio 0.453 [0.233 to 0.882], p = 0.020). No statistically significant difference was noted in FEV1 in the stable COPD population. CONCLUSION: IV magnesium was associated with a favorable deviation of FEV1 and PEFR, decreased residual volume, and decreased odds of admission in the COPD exacerbation population. Therefore, magnesium sulfate can be used as an adjunctive therapy in the treatment of acute exacerbations of COPD.

Efficacy and Safety of Fevipiprant in Asthma: A Review and Meta-Analysis.

Fevipiprant is a non-steroidal oral prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) receptor 2 antagonist that reduces bronchial wall inflammation, possibly improving clinical outcomes in the asthmatic population. A systemic review search was conducted on PubMed, Embase, and Central Cochrane Registry. Randomized clinical trials were included with Fevipiprant as an intervention arm compared to placebo. For continuous variables, the standardized mean difference, and for discrete variables, Mantel-Haenszel Risk Ratio (MH Risk ratio) was used for analysis. Confidence interval of 95% and p-value < 0.05 was considered significant. The analysis was done using a random-effects model irrespective of heterogeneity. Heterogeneity was evaluated using the I2 statistic. A total of five articles, including seven trials, were included in the analysis. There was significant increase in post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) 0.249 (0.157-0.341), p<0.001 and pre-bronchodilator FEV1 0.115 (0.043 to 0.188), p=0.002. A decrease in asthma control questionnaire (ACQ) score of -0.124 (-0.187 to -0.062), p<0.001, was reported. Statistically significant asthma exacerbation reduction was reported in the high eosinophil count population with a daily dose of 450mg 0.77 relative risks (RR) (0.61-0.97). There was a positive deviation toward Fevipiprant 450mg dose for asthma reduction in the overall population, but it was not statistically significant. Fevipiprant produced a slight statistically significant reduction in asthma exacerbations in the high eosinophil count population with favorable deviation in the overall population. It significantly increased pre-and post-bronchodilator FEV1 and improved ACQ scores in treated patients. The benefits, though statistically significant, failed to translate into clinical importance.

The Role and Efficacy of Vitamin C in Sepsis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Clinical rationale for study: Despite advancements in critical care, the mortality rate of sepsis remains high, with an overall poor prognosis. There is a complex pathophysiology of a lethal cascade of cytokines and inflammatory proteins underlying sepsis. The use of vitamin C can theoretically suppress the inflammatory cascade but remains a questionable practice due to a lack of conclusive evidence. Aims of the study: To appraise the therapeutic role of vitamin C in sepsis. Materials and methods: A systematic review was conducted on PubMed, Embase, and the Central Cochrane Registry. The study included randomized clinical trials (RCTs) with vitamin C as an intervention arm in the septic patient population. For continuous variables, the difference in means (MD) and for discrete variables, the odds ratio (OR) was used. For effect sizes, a confidence interval of 95% was used. A p-value of less than 0.05 was used for statistical significance. The analysis was performed using a random-effects model irrespective of heterogeneity. Heterogeneity was evaluated using the I2 statistic. Results: 23 studies were included with the total sample size of 2712 patients. In patients treated with vitamin C, there was a statistically significant reduction in the mortality: OR = 0.778 (0.635 to 0.954), p = 0.016; the sequential organ failure assessment score (SOFA): MD = −0.749 (−1.115 to −0.383), p < 0.001; and the duration of vasopressor requirement: MD = −1.034 days (−1.622 to −0.445), p = 0.001. No significant difference was found in the hospital or ICU length of stay. Conclusions and clinical implications: Vitamin C treatment regimens were associated with reduced mortality, SOFA score, and vasopressor requirement compared to the control in sepsis. Given its low cost and minimal adverse effects, we strongly encourage further large, randomized trials to establish vitamin C as a standard of care in sepsis management.