PulmCrit (EMCrit)

Preeclampsia is among the most commonly encountered obstetric emergencies.  Definitions and optimal therapies have changed significantly over the past few years.  Although specialists in Obstetrics will invariably be involved in these cases, all resuscitationists need to have a firm grasp of this topic. The optimal therapies for preeclampsia remain controversial.  For example, the International Society […]

Verigene is a nucleic acid micro-array which can be used to provide rapid information about positive blood cultures.  The array detects genetic information which may reveal the genus/species of bacteria and the presence of various resistance genes.

Hypertensive emergency is a fairly common cause of ICU admission.  Surprisingly little high-quality data is available to guide our management of these patients (e.g. optimal Bp target?  ideal rate of reduction?  need for arterial line?).  This chapter describes a reasonable strategy to these patients, focusing on the pharmacokinetics of various antihypertensives.  

Abdominal compartment syndrome can result from primary abdominal pathology (e.g. bowel obstruction), but it can also occur due to systemic inflammation combined with large-volume resuscitation.  As such, abdominal compartment syndrome is probably more frequent than generally perceived, functioning as an occult driver of multi-organ failure.  Treatment is based upon physiological properties, involving many therapies aside from simply opening the abdomen. 

For decades, acetaminophen has been regarded as the first rung of the analgesic ladder.  It has a nearly unparalleled risk/benefit profile when dosed correctly (it’s not tremendously effective, but it is extraordinarily safe).  Theoretically, acetaminophen should be used very broadly among critically ill patients with pain.However, this isn’t the case.