eCritCare Podcast

In this episode, we discuss the recently published SWITCH trial which compared the efficacy of decompressive craniectomy with best medical treatment vs best medical treatment alone for deep intra-cerebral hemorrhage.

In this episode, we discuss the etiology of diaphragmatic dysfunction, its management and strategies for prevention. 

In this episode, we discuss the recently published RCT AMIKINHAL, which tested the efficacy of inhaled amikacin in preventing VAP in ICU patients who were ventilated for> 72 hours. Although, this trail demonstrated reduced incidence of VAP in intervention arm, it's premature to adopt these practices widely in intensive care.

In this episode, we discuss recently published RCT in JAMA "NICO trial", which evaluated the role of GCS based intubation vs non-invasive airway management. It is important to understand the nuances before generalising the conclusion of this trial.

In this episode, we discuss the recently published RCT in NEJM, which challenged the current dogma regarding the role of IV thyroxine in potential organ donor patient population. 

In this episode, we discuss the recently published RCT "ECLS-Shock" trial in NEJM. This trial tested the benefit of instituting early extra-corporeal support in cardiogenic shock and suggested more harm in intervention arm compared to control arm. 

In this episode, we discuss recently published landmark RCT which compared the timing for initiation of oral anticoagulation in patients who presented with ischaemic stroke with rapid AF. 

In this episode, we discuss the controversy surrounding the usage of steroids in Community-acquired pneumonia. This controversy arose after the CAPE-COD trial was published recently in NEJM. We discuss the pros and cons of administering steroids as a blanket treatment. We recommend caution and suggest considering the external validity of this trial before changing your practices.

In this episode, we discuss recently published RCT "MERCY Trial" which evaluated the efficacy of continuous infusion vs intermittent dosing strategy of Meropenem.

In this episode, we discuss the recently published RCT "PATCH Trial", which evaluated the efficacy of pre-hospital tranexamic acid in patients with severe trauma. This trial confirmed the results of CRASH-2 trial, which demonstrated 28-day mortality benefit with the use of tranexaic acid in trauma if administered in < 3 hours. However, it failed to demonstrate any significant benefit with favourable neurological output at 6 months. This highlights the importance of Post-ICU care which at this stage is not standardised and varies across the globe.