Sedation in intensive care unit (ICU) patients is assumed to facilitate proper care with improved patient comfort and safety, though long-term use is fraught with potential serious adverse effects. The use of dexmedetomidine, a sedative with alpha-2 agonist properties, may enhance patient safety and comfort in long-term sedation, but evidence has been limited and inconclusive. [...]

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Ultrasound use in the intensive care unit (ICU) has become increasingly prevalent, especially as more intensivists gain valuable training and experience in this cost-effective imaging modality. In this month’s issue of Intensive Care Medicine, Xirouchaki et al compared the diagnostic performance of lung ultrasound and bedside chest radiography (CXR) for the detection of four pathologic [...]

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In the July issue of Critical Care Medicine, Fragou et al present data from a prospective, unblinded, single-center randomized trial examining the use of real-time ultrasound for cannulation of the subclavian vein. The study included 401 patients receiving mechanical ventilation who required subclavian central venous cannulation (SCV). Patients were being treated at a tertiary multidisciplinary [...]

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In the June 1, 2011 Journal of American Medical Association, Lilly and colleagues report a prospective, unblinded single-institution study where implementation of a tele-ICU intervention was associated with reduced adjusted odds of mortality and reduced hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay, as well as improved adherence to best practices and lower rates [...]

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The Fundamental Critical Care Support (FCCS) course has been very popular in India for quite some time. Just recently the Fundamental Disaster Management (FDM) course was launched in Mumbai, India, and this week, during the Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine (ISCCM) meeting, a second course was held. In addition to intensivists and members of the ICU [...]

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