ESICM Talk

The early initiation of vasopressors, ideally within the first hour of diagnosing septic shock, is emerging as a preferred strategy. This approach offers a multimodal action with potential benefits, including reduced morbidity and mortality. Prompt vasopressor therapy is crucial for effective management in septic shock patients.

To dive deeper into the timing and administration of vasopressors, join us for our next podcast! Michele Chew and Mathieu Jozwiak will guide us through the essentials—don’t miss it!

Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) represent sudden and severe declines in airway function and respiratory symptoms in COPD patients. The clinical presentation of AECOPD is diverse, demanding a treatment approach tailored to disease severity—beginning with antibiotic therapy and, in critical cases, advancing to mechanical ventilation for respiratory support.

Tune into our next podcast to learn more!

Septic shock triggers a dangerous drop in blood pressure and restricts blood flow to vital organs, making rapid intervention essential to prevent organ failure. This podcast will explore the power of a multimodal treatment approach—combining tailored medications, precise dosing, and supportive therapies—to amplify the body’s response to vasopressors.

Don’t miss this insightful discussion!

Autonomic dysfunction and tachycardia are strongly linked to poor outcomes in septic shock, contributing to high mortality rates. In the upcoming podcast, we explore whether β-blockade with landiolol for up to 14 days can reduce organ failure, as measured by the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, in critically ill patients with tachycardia and septic shock who have been on high-dose norepinephrine for over 24 hours.

Dr. Tony Whitehouse, interviewed by two NEXT representatives, discusses the key findings of the STRESS-L Randomized Clinical Trial.

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is a rare but devastating condition, marked by high global rates of fatality and long-term disability. Key factors influencing patient outcomes include early brain injury, aneurysm rebleeding, and delayed cerebral ischemia.

In this podcast, Dr. Chiara Robba and Dr. Laura Galarza explore the epidemiology, treatment strategies, and the identification and management of post-aSAH complications. This exclusive discussion provides valuable insights and practical clinical guidance specifically designed for intensivists.

Esophageal pressure measurement plays a crucial role in estimating transpulmonary pressure, with both its absolute values and variations being key factors in assessing lung injury from mechanical forces during ventilation. To gain deeper insights into esophageal pressure monitoring and the essential equipment required for accurate measurement, tune in to the NEXT podcast. Luigi Zattera, the NEXT representative, conducted an insightful interview with Lise Piquilloud, head of the Acute Respiratory Failure (ARF) section. 

Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) aims to enhance the strength and endurance of respiratory muscles. Numerous clinical trials have explored the effectiveness of IMT using various training protocols, devices, and respiratory assessments. However, its adoption in clinical practice remains limited. The extent to which IMT offers clinical benefits, particularly in conjunction with pulmonary rehabilitation following respiratory failure, is still uncertain.

To delve deeper into the subject and gain insights into IMT, we have invited Professor Bernie Bissett. Tune in to our podcast to hear her expert perspective.

To date, no specific pharmacotherapy has proven effective against acute respiratory distress syndrome ARDS. Results on the research domain have been ineffective in human trials, a gap attributed in part to clinical and biological heterogeneity in human ARDS. Therefore, a precision medicine approach is intended to address explicitly how such underlying heterogeneity influences response to therapy among different patients with the same diagnosis. “You can find treatment for the disease but not for syndromes and ICU is a syndrome-forward approach to patient care” says Dr Pratik Sinha who is working on ARDS phenotyping.

Listen to his interview and learn more about ARDS from disease understanding to future bedside perspectives.

Cardiogenic shock accounts for up to 5% of acute heart failure presentations and around 14–16% of patients reported in cardiac intensive care datasets. It complicates up to 15% of all myocardial infarctions and is the leading cause of death post-infarction. Using pharmacological agents alone may increase left ventricular afterload and myocardial oxygen demand, resulting in complications. Thus, mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices have emerged as important therapeutic options. As evidence remains uncertain, MCS selection depends on clinician preference and local availability.

An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of high-quality RCTs and propensity score-matched studies (PSMs) was performed to compare the outcomes of MCS devices with no MCS and each other and investigate which MCS is the most effective in reducing mortality.

To learn more about the findings of this study listen to this podcast.