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Most-read articles are from the articles published in 2021 during the last three month.

Review Article
Pulmonary
Asynchronies during invasive mechanical ventilation: narrative review and update
Santiago Nicolás Saavedra, Patrick Valentino Sepúlveda Barisich, José Benito Parra Maldonado, Romina Belén Lumini, Alberto Gómez-González, Adrián Gallardo
Acute Crit Care. 2022;37(4):491-501.   Published online November 30, 2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.2022.01158
  • 6,992 View
  • 1,303 Download
  • 1 Citations
AbstractAbstract PDFSupplementary Material
Invasive mechanical ventilation is a frequent therapy in critically ill patients in critical care units. To achieve favorable outcomes, patient and ventilator interaction must be adequate. However, many clinical situations could attempt against this principle and generate a mismatch between these two actors. These asynchronies can lead the patient to worst outcomes; that is why it is vital to recognize and treat these entities as soon as possible. Early detection and recognition of the different asynchronies could favor the reduction of the days of mechanical ventilation, the days of hospital stay, and intensive care and improve clinical results.

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  • Patient Self-Inflicted Lung Injury—A Narrative Review of Pathophysiology, Early Recognition, and Management Options
    Peter Sklienka, Michal Frelich, Filip Burša
    Journal of Personalized Medicine.2023; 13(4): 593.     CrossRef
Case Report
Neurosurgery
What should an intensivist know about pneumocephalus and tension pneumocephalus?
Bhushan Sudhakar Wankhade, Maged Mohsen Kamel Beniamein, Zeyad Faoor Alrais, Jyoti Ittoop Mathew, Ghaya Zeyad Alrais
Acute Crit Care. 2023;38(2):244-248.   Published online April 13, 2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.2021.01102
  • 4,058 View
  • 112 Download
  • 2 Citations
AbstractAbstract PDF
Collection of air in the cranial cavity is called pneumocephalus. Although simple pneumocephalus is a benign condition, accompanying increased intracranial pressure can produce a life-threatening condition comparable to tension pneumothorax, which is termed tension pneumocephalus. We report a case of tension pneumocephalus after drainage of a cerebrospinal fluid hygroma. The tension pneumocephalus was treated with decompression craniotomy, but the patient later died due to the complications related to critical care. Traumatic brain injury and neurosurgical intervention are the most common causes of pneumocephalus. Pneumocephalus and tension pneumocephalus are neurosurgical emergencies, and anesthetics and intensive care management like the use of nitrous oxide during anesthesia and positive pressure ventilation have important implications in their development and progress. Clinically, patients can present with various nonspecific neurological manifestations that are indistinguishable from a those of a primary neurological condition. If the diagnosis is questionable, patients should be investigated using computed tomography of the brain. Immediate neurosurgical consultation with decompression is the treatment of choice.

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  • Pneumocephalus; a rare cause of coma
    Elisavet Simoulidou, Vivian Georgopoulou, Panagiotis Kalmoukos, Dimitrios Kouroupis, Nikoleta Moscha, Maria Sidiropoulou, Sofia Chatzimichailidou, Konstantinos Petidis, Athina Pyrpasopoulou
    The American Journal of Emergency Medicine.2023; 68: 215.e1.     CrossRef
  • Pneumocephalus secondary to epidural analgesia: a case report
    Maira Ahmad, Shannay Bellamy, William Ott, Rany Mekhail
    Journal of Medical Case Reports.2023;[Epub]     CrossRef
Review Article
Pulmonary
High-flow nasal cannula for respiratory failure in adult patients
SeungYong Park
Acute Crit Care. 2021;36(4):275-285.   Published online November 30, 2021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.2021.01571
  • 6,106 View
  • 451 Download
  • 4 Citations
AbstractAbstract PDF
The high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) has been recently used in several clinical settings for oxygenation in adults. In particular, the advantages of HFNC compared with low-flow oxygen systems or non-invasive ventilation include enhanced comfort, increased humidification of secretions to facilitate expectoration, washout of nasopharyngeal dead space to improve the efficiency of ventilation, provision of a small positive end-inspiratory pressure effect, and fixed and rapid delivery of an accurate fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) by minimizing the entrainment of room air. HFNC has been successfully used in critically ill patients with several conditions, such as hypoxemic respiratory failure, hypercapneic respiratory failure (exacerbation of chronic obstructive lung disease), post-extubation respiratory failure, pre-intubation oxygenation, and others. However, the indications are not absolute, and much of the proven benefit remains subjective and physiologic. This review discusses the practical application and clinical uses of HFNC in adults, including its unique respiratory physiologic effects, device settings, and clinical indications.

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  • Current status of treatment of acute respiratory failure in Korea
    Yong Jun Choi, Jae Hwa Cho
    Journal of the Korean Medical Association.2022; 65(3): 124.     CrossRef
  • Transnasal High-Flow Oxygen Therapy versus Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation in the Treatment of COPD with Type II Respiratory Failure: A Meta-Analysis
    Wei Liu, Mingli Zhu, Liuqin Xia, Xiangying Yang, Pei Huang, Yanming Sun, Ye Shen, Jianping Ma, Gang Chen
    Computational and Mathematical Methods in Medicine.2022; 2022: 1.     CrossRef
  • Association between timing of intubation and mortality in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
    Eunhye Bae, Jimyung Park, Sun Mi Choi, Jinwoo Lee, Sang-Min Lee, Hong Yeul Lee
    Acute and Critical Care.2022; 37(4): 561.     CrossRef
  • Effect of high-flow oxygen versus T-piece ventilation strategies during spontaneous breathing trials on weaning failure among patients receiving mechanical ventilation: a randomized controlled trial
    Hong Yeul Lee, Jinwoo Lee, Sang-Min Lee
    Critical Care.2022;[Epub]     CrossRef
Guideline
Pharmacology
2021 KSCCM clinical practice guidelines for pain, agitation, delirium, immobility, and sleep disturbance in the intensive care unit
Yijun Seo, Hak-Jae Lee, Eun Jin Ha, Tae Sun Ha
Acute Crit Care. 2022;37(1):1-25.   Published online February 28, 2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.2022.00094
Correction in: Acute Crit Care 2023;38(1):149
  • 9,543 View
  • 1,080 Download
  • 5 Citations
AbstractAbstract PDF
We revised and expanded the “2010 Guideline for the Use of Sedatives and Analgesics in the Adult Intensive Care Unit (ICU).” We revised the 2010 Guideline based mainly on the 2018 “Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Pain, Agitation/Sedation, Delirium, Immobility, and Sleep Disruption (PADIS) in Adult Patients in the ICU,” which was an updated 2013 pain, agitation, and delirium guideline with the inclusion of two additional topics (rehabilitation/mobility and sleep). Since it was not possible to hold face-to-face meetings of panels due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, all discussions took place via virtual conference platforms and e-mail with the participation of all panelists. All authors drafted the recommendations, and all panelists discussed and revised the recommendations several times. The quality of evidence for each recommendation was classified as high (level A), moderate (level B), or low/very low (level C), and all panelists voted on the quality level of each recommendation. The participating panelists had no conflicts of interest on related topics. The development of this guideline was independent of any industry funding. The Pain, Agitation/Sedation, Delirium, Immobility (rehabilitation/mobilization), and Sleep Disturbance panels issued 42 recommendations (level A, 6; level B, 18; and level C, 18). The 2021 clinical practice guideline provides up-to-date information on how to prevent and manage pain, agitation/sedation, delirium, immobility, and sleep disturbance in adult ICU patients. We believe that these guidelines can provide an integrated method for clinicians to manage PADIS in adult ICU patients.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by  
  • End‐of‐life care in the intensive care unit
    M. Tanaka Gutiez, N. Efstathiou, R. Innes, V. Metaxa
    Anaesthesia.2023; 78(5): 636.     CrossRef
  • The Profile of Early Sedation Depth and Clinical Outcomes of Mechanically Ventilated Patients in Korea
    Dong-gon Hyun, Jee Hwan Ahn, Ha-Yeong Gil, Chung Mo Nam, Choa Yun, Jae-Myeong Lee, Jae Hun Kim, Dong-Hyun Lee, Ki Hoon Kim, Dong Jung Kim, Sang-Min Lee, Ho-Geol Ryu, Suk-Kyung Hong, Jae-Bum Kim, Eun Young Choi, JongHyun Baek, Jeoungmin Kim, Eun Jin Kim, T
    Journal of Korean Medical Science.2023;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • The relationship between the PRE-DELIRIC score and the prognosis in COVID-19 ICU patients
    Bilge Banu Taşdemir Mecit
    Journal of Surgery and Medicine.2023; 7(5): 343.     CrossRef
  • ICU-Induced Disability Persists With or Without COVID-19—This Is a Call for F to A Bundle Action*
    Heidi Engel
    Critical Care Medicine.2022; 50(11): 1665.     CrossRef
  • Actigraphy-Based Assessment of Sleep Parameters in Intensive Care Unit Patients Receiving Respiratory Support Therapy
    Jiyeon Kang, Yongbin Kwon
    Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing.2022; 15(3): 115.     CrossRef
Review Articles
Neurosurgery
Brain-lung interaction: a vicious cycle in traumatic brain injury
Ariana Alejandra Chacón-Aponte, Érika Andrea Durán-Vargas, Jaime Adolfo Arévalo-Carrillo, Iván David Lozada-Martínez, Maria Paz Bolaño-Romero, Luis Rafael Moscote-Salazar, Pedro Grille, Tariq Janjua
Acute Crit Care. 2022;37(1):35-44.   Published online February 11, 2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.2021.01193
  • 7,585 View
  • 620 Download
  • 6 Citations
AbstractAbstract PDF
The brain-lung interaction can seriously affect patients with traumatic brain injury, triggering a vicious cycle that worsens patient prognosis. Although the mechanisms of the interaction are not fully elucidated, several hypotheses, notably the “blast injury” theory or “double hit” model, have been proposed and constitute the basis of its development and progression. The brain and lungs strongly interact via complex pathways from the brain to the lungs but also from the lungs to the brain. The main pulmonary disorders that occur after brain injuries are neurogenic pulmonary edema, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and ventilator-associated pneumonia, and the principal brain disorders after lung injuries include brain hypoxia and intracranial hypertension. All of these conditions are key considerations for management therapies after traumatic brain injury and need exceptional case-by-case monitoring to avoid neurological or pulmonary complications. This review aims to describe the history, pathophysiology, risk factors, characteristics, and complications of brain-lung and lung-brain interactions and the impact of different old and recent modalities of treatment in the context of traumatic brain injury.

Citations

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  • Ventilatory targets following brain injury
    Shaurya Taran, Sarah Wahlster, Chiara Robba
    Current Opinion in Critical Care.2023; 29(2): 41.     CrossRef
  • Uncertainty in Neurocritical Care: Recognizing Its Relevance for Clinical Decision Making
    Luis Rafael Moscote-Salazar, William A. Florez-Perdomo, Tariq Janjua
    Indian Journal of Neurotrauma.2023;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • The role of cardiac dysfunction and post-traumatic pulmonary embolism in brain-lung interactions following traumatic brain injury
    Mabrouk Bahloul, Karama Bouchaala, Najeh Baccouche, Kamilia Chtara, Hedi Chelly, Mounir Bouaziz
    Acute and Critical Care.2022; 37(2): 266.     CrossRef
  • Allocation of Donor Lungs in Korea
    Hye Ju Yeo
    Journal of Chest Surgery.2022; 55(4): 274.     CrossRef
  • Mapping brain endophenotypes associated with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis genetic risk
    Ali-Reza Mohammadi-Nejad, Richard J. Allen, Luke M. Kraven, Olivia C. Leavy, R. Gisli Jenkins, Louise V. Wain, Dorothee P. Auer, Stamatios N. Sotiropoulos
    eBioMedicine.2022; 86: 104356.     CrossRef
  • Use of bedside ultrasound in the evaluation of acute dyspnea: a comprehensive review of evidence on diagnostic usefulness
    Ivan David Lozada-Martinez, Isabela Zenilma Daza-Patiño, Gerardo Jesus Farley Reina-González, Sebastián Rojas-Pava, Ailyn Zenith Angulo-Lara, María Paola Carmona-Rodiño, Olga Gissela Sarmiento-Najar, Jhon Mike Romero-Madera, Yesid Alonso Ángel-Hernandez
    Revista Investigación en Salud Universidad de Boyacá.2022;[Epub]     CrossRef
Pulmonary
Lung ultrasound for evaluation of dyspnea: a pictorial review
Aparna Murali, Anjali Prakash, Rashmi Dixit, Monica Juneja, Naresh Kumar
Acute Crit Care. 2022;37(4):502-515.   Published online November 21, 2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.2022.00780
  • 2,482 View
  • 351 Download
AbstractAbstract PDFSupplementary Material
Lung ultrasound is based on the analysis of ultrasound artifacts generated by the pleura and air within the lungs. In recent years, lung ultrasound has emerged as an important alternative for quick evaluation of the patient at the bedside. Several techniques and protocols for performing lung ultrasound have been described in the literature, with the most popular one being the Bedside Lung Ultrasound in Emergency (BLUE) protocol which can be utilized to diagnose the cause of acute dyspnea at the bedside. We attempt to provide a simplified approach to understanding the physics behind the artifacts used in lung ultrasound, the imaging techniques, and the application of the BLUE protocol to diagnose the commonly presenting causes of acute dyspnea.
Infection
Oxygen therapy for sepsis and prevention of complications
Hayk Minasyan
Acute Crit Care. 2022;37(2):137-150.   Published online March 17, 2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.2021.01200
  • 5,414 View
  • 309 Download
  • 1 Citations
AbstractAbstract PDF
Patients with sepsis have a wide range of respiratory disorders that can be treated with oxygen therapy. Experimental data in animal sepsis models show that oxygen therapy significantly increases survival, while clinical data on the use of different oxygen therapy protocols are ambiguous. Oxygen therapy, especially hyperbaric oxygenation, in patients with sepsis can aggravate existing oxidative stress and contribute to the development of disseminated intravascular coagulation. The purpose of this article is to compare experimental and clinical data on oxygen therapy in animals and humans, to discuss factors that can influence the results of oxygen therapy for sepsis treatment in humans, and to provide some recommendations for reducing oxidative stress and preventing disseminated intravascular coagulation during oxygen therapy.

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  • Personalized medicine targeting different ARDS phenotypes: The future of pharmacotherapy for ARDS?
    Florian Blanchard, Arthur James, Mona Assefi, Natacha Kapandji, Jean-Michel Constantin
    Expert Review of Respiratory Medicine.2023; 17(1): 41.     CrossRef
Neurology
Transient splenial lesions of the corpus callosum and infectious diseases
Kyu Sun Yum, Dong-Ick Shin
Acute Crit Care. 2022;37(3):269-275.   Published online August 17, 2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.2022.00864
  • 2,874 View
  • 224 Download
AbstractAbstract PDF
comTransient splenial lesion of the corpus callosum can be observed in various diseases such as cancer, drug use, metabolic disorders, and cerebrovascular disorders, as well as in patients with infectious diseases. During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there were increasing reports of these lesions being detected on brain imaging tests performed in patients with neurological symptoms. On brain magnetic resonance imaging, findings suggestive of cytotoxic edema are observed in the splenium; these are known to disappear with improvement of clinical symptoms. Cytokinopathy caused by infection increases the permeability of the blood–brain barrier and activates the glial cells of the brain to induce cytotoxic edema. Most patients have a good prognosis. The causes, mechanism, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of transient splenial lesions of the corpus callosum will be summarized in this review.
Original Articles
Pulmonary
Comparison of high-flow nasal oxygen therapy and noninvasive ventilation in COVID-19 patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Glenardi Glenardi, Febie Chriestya, Bambang J Oetoro, Ghea Mangkuliguna, Natalia Natalia
Acute Crit Care. 2022;37(1):71-83.   Published online February 22, 2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.2021.01326
  • 5,656 View
  • 374 Download
  • 4 Citations
AbstractAbstract PDFSupplementary Material
Background
Acute respiratory failure (ARF) is a major adverse event commonly encountered in severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Although noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIV) has long been used in the management of ARF, it has several adverse events which may cause patient discomfort and lead to treatment complication. Recently, high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) has the potential to be an alternative for NIV in adults with ARF, including COVID-19 patients. The objective was to investigate the efficacy of HFNC compared to NIV in COVID-19 patients. Methods: This meta-analysis was reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria. Literature search was carried out in electronic databases for relevant articles published prior to June 2021. The protocol used in this study has been registered in International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42020225186). Results: Although the success rate of NIV is higher compared to HFNC (odds ratio [OR], 0.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.16–0.97; P=0.04), this study showed that the mortality in the NIV group is also significantly higher compared to HFNC group (OR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.39–0.63; P<0.001). Moreover, this study also demonstrated that there was no significant difference in intubation rates between the two groups (OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 0.86–2.11; P=0.19). Conclusions: Patients treated with HFNC showed better outcomes compared to NIV for ARF due to COVID-19. Therefore, HFNC should be considered prior to NIV in COVID-19–associated ARF. However, further studies with larger sample sizes are still needed to better elucidate the benefit of HFNC in COVID-19 patients.

Citations

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  • Evaluating the use of the respiratory-rate oxygenation index as a predictor of high-flow nasal cannula oxygen failure in COVID-19
    Scott Weerasuriya, Savvas Vlachos, Ahmed Bobo, Namitha Birur Jayaprabhu, Lauren Matthews, Adam R Blackstock, Victoria Metaxa
    Acute and Critical Care.2023; 38(1): 31.     CrossRef
  • Does the variant positivity and negativity affect the clinical course in COVID-19?: A cohort study
    Erkan Yildirim, Levent Kilickan, Suleyman Hilmi Aksoy, Ramazan Gozukucuk, Hasan Huseyin Kilic, Yakup Tomak, Orhan Dalkilic, Ibrahim Halil Tanboga, Fevzi Duhan Berkan Kilickan
    Medicine.2023; 102(9): e33132.     CrossRef
  • The COVID-19 Driving Force: How It Shaped the Evidence of Non-Invasive Respiratory Support
    Yorschua Jalil, Martina Ferioli, Martin Dres
    Journal of Clinical Medicine.2023; 12(10): 3486.     CrossRef
  • Comparison between high-flow nasal cannula and noninvasive ventilation in COVID-19 patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
    Yun Peng, Bing Dai, Hong-wen Zhao, Wei Wang, Jian Kang, Hai-jia Hou, Wei Tan
    Therapeutic Advances in Respiratory Disease.2022; 16: 175346662211136.     CrossRef
Pulmonary
Characteristics and outcomes of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease admitted to the intensive care unit due to acute hypercapnic respiratory failure
Türkay Akbaş, Harun Güneş
Acute Crit Care. 2023;38(1):49-56.   Published online February 27, 2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.2022.01011
  • 772 View
  • 62 Download
  • 1 Citations
AbstractAbstract PDF
Background
The study aimed to describe the clinical course, outcomes, and prognostic factors of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with acute hypercapnic respiratory failure. Methods: This retrospective study involved patients with acute hypercapnic respiratory failure due to COPD of any cause admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for non-invasive or invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) support between December 2015 and February 2020. Results: One hundred patients were evaluated. The main causes of acute hypercapnic respiratory failure were bronchitis, pneumonia, and heart failure. The patients’ mean Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score was 23.0±7.2, and their IMV rate was 43%. ICU, in-hospital, and 90-day mortality rates were 21%, 29%, and 39%, respectively. Non-survivors had more pneumonia, shock within the first 24 hours of admission, IMV, vasopressor use, and renal replacement therapy, along with higher APACHE II scores, lower admission albumin levels and PaO2/ FiO2 ratios, and longer ICU and hospital stays than survivors. Logistic regression analysis identified APACHE II score (odds ratio [OR], 1.157; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.017–1.317; P=0.026), admission PaO2/FiO2 ratio (OR, 0.989; 95% CI, 0.978–0.999; P=0.046), and vasopressor use (OR, 8.827; 95% CI, 1.650–47.215; P=0.011) as predictors of ICU mortality. APACHE II score (OR, 1.099; 95% CI, 1.021–1.182; P=0.011) and admission albumin level (OR, 0.169; 95% CI, 0.056–0.514; P=0.002) emerged as predictors of 90-day mortality. Conclusions: APACHE II scores, the PaO2/FiO2 ratio, vasopressor use, and albumin levels are significant short-term mortality predictors in severely ill COPD patients with acute hypercapnic respiratory failure.

Citations

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  • COPD Exacerbation: Why It Is Important to Avoid ICU Admission
    Irene Prediletto, Gilda Giancotti, Stefano Nava
    Journal of Clinical Medicine.2023; 12(10): 3369.     CrossRef
Review Article
Basic science and research
Barriers and facilitators in the provision of palliative care in adult intensive care units: a scoping review
Christantie Effendy, Yodang Yodang, Sarah Amalia, Erna Rochmawati
Acute Crit Care. 2022;37(4):516-526.   Published online October 18, 2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.2022.00745
  • 1,944 View
  • 199 Download
AbstractAbstract PDF
The provision of palliative care in the intensive care unit (ICU) is increasing. While some scholars have suggested the goals of palliative care to not be aligned with the ICU, some evidence show benefits of the integration. This review aimed to explore and synthesize research that identified barriers and facilitators in the provision of palliative care in the ICU. This review utilized Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Scoping Review guidelines based on population, concept, and context. We searched for eligible studies in five electronic databases (Scopus, PubMed, ProQuest, Science Direct, and Sage) and included studies on the provision of palliative care (concept) in the ICU (context) that were published in English between 2005–2021. We describe the provision of palliative care in terms of barriers and facilitators. We also describe the study design and context. A total of 14 papers was included. Several barriers and facilitators in providing palliative care in the ICU were identified and include lack of capabilities, family boundaries, practical issues, cultural differences. Facilitators of the provision of palliative care in an ICU include greater experience and supportive behaviors, i.e., collaborations between health care professionals. This scoping review demonstrates the breadth of barriers and facilitators of palliative care in the ICU. Hospital management can consider findings of the current review to better integrate palliative care in the ICU.
Original Articles
Nursing
Effect of modified care bundle for prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia in critically-ill neurosurgical patients
Suphannee Triamvisit, Wassana Wongprasert, Chalermwoot Puttima, Matchima Na Chiangmai, Nawaphan Thienjindakul, Laksika Rodkul, Chumpon Jetjumnong
Acute Crit Care. 2021;36(4):294-299.   Published online November 23, 2021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.2021.00983
  • 4,368 View
  • 225 Download
AbstractAbstract PDF
Background
Care bundles for ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) have been shown to minimize the rate of VAP in critically ill patients. Standard care bundles may need to be modified in resource-constrained situations. The goal of this study was to see if our modified VAP-care bundles lowered the risk of VAP in neurosurgical patients.
Methods
A prospective cohort study was conducted in mechanically ventilated neurosurgical patients. The VAP bundle was adjusted in the cohort group by increasing the frequency of intermittent endotracheal tube cuff pressure monitoring to six times a day while reducing oral care with 0.12% chlorhexidine to three times a day. The rate of VAP was compared to the historical control group.
Results
A total of 146 and 145 patients were enrolled in control and cohort groups, respectively. The mean age of patients was 52±16 years in both groups (P=0.803). The admission Glasgow coma scores were 7.79±2.67 and 7.80±2.77 in control and cohort group, respectively (P=0.969). VAP was found in nine patients in control group but only one patient in cohort group. The occurrence rate of VAP was significantly reduced in cohort group compared to control group (0.88/1,000 vs. 6.84/1,000 ventilator days, P=0.036).
Conclusions
The modified VAP bundle is effective in lowering the VAP rate in critically ill neurosurgical patients. It requires low budget and manpower and can be employed in resource-constrained settings.
Nursing
The effect of time management education on critical care nurses’ prioritization: a randomized clinical trial
Fatemeh Vizeshfar, Mahnaz Rakhshan, Fatemeh Shirazi, Roya Dokoohaki
Acute Crit Care. 2022;37(2):202-208.   Published online April 28, 2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.2021.01123
  • 3,774 View
  • 275 Download
  • 1 Citations
AbstractAbstract PDF
necessiBackground: Nurses are at the forefront of patient care, and time management skills can increase their ability to make decisions faster. This study aimed to assess the effect of a time management workshop on prioritization and time management skills among nurses of emergency and intensive care units.
Methods
This randomized clinical trial was performed with 215 nurses. The educational intervention about time management was held in the form of a workshop for the intervention group. The time management questionnaire was completed by both groups before, immediately after, and 3 months after the intervention.
Results
Most participants were female (n=191, 88%), with a mean age of 31.82 years (range, 22–63 years). Additionally, the participants’ work experience ranged from 1 to 30 years (mean±standard deviation, 8.00±7.15 years). After the intervention, the mean score of time management increased significantly in the intervention group, but no significant difference was observed in this regard in the control group. The results also revealed a significant difference between the intervention and control groups regarding the mean score of time management 3 months after the intervention (P<0.001).
Conclusions
Time management training helped nurses adjust the time required to perform and prioritize various tasks.

Citations

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  • Impact of time management program on stress and coping strategies adopted by nursing students with regard to academic performance
    Juby Mary Chacko, Achamma Varghese, Nirmala Rajesh
    IP Journal of Paediatrics and Nursing Science.2023; 6(1): 48.     CrossRef
Review Article
Basic science and research
Extracorporeal circulation models in small animals: beyond the limits of preclinical research
Mukhammad Kayumov, Reverien Habimana, Dowan Kim, Francis O Obiweluozor, In Seok Jeong, Hwa Jin Cho
Acute Crit Care. 2023;38(1):1-7.   Published online February 28, 2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.2023.00381
  • 894 View
  • 60 Download
AbstractAbstract PDF
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) use has remarkably increased in recent years. Although ECMO has become essential for patients with refractory cardiac and respiratory failure, extracorporeal circulation (ECC) is associated with significant complications. Small-animal models of ECC have been developed and widely used to better understand ECC-induced pathophysiology. This review article summarizes the development of small-animal ECC models, including the animal species, circuit configuration, priming, perioperative procedures, cannulation, and future perspectives of small-animal ECMO models.
Original Article
Nursing
Improving mobility in the intensive care unit with a protocolized, early mobilization program: observations of a single center before-and-after the implementation of a multidisciplinary program
Laptin Ho, Joe Hin Cheung Tsang, Emmanuel Cheung, Wing Yan Chan, Ka Wai Lee, Sweetie R Lui, Chung Yau Lee, Alfred Lok Hang Lee, Philip Koon Ngai Lam
Acute Crit Care. 2022;37(3):286-294.   Published online June 29, 2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.2021.01564
  • 6,207 View
  • 274 Download
  • 1 Citations
AbstractAbstract PDFSupplementary Material
Background
Early intensive care unit (ICU) protocolized rehabilitative programs have been described previously, yet with differing starting time points and mostly on mechanically ventilated patients. We extended the concept to all admitted ICU patients and investigate the efficacy of early mobilization in improving mobility of the critically ill, address issues surrounding the timing and intensity of an early rehabilitative program.
Methods
Prospective cohorts of patients admitted consecutively before-and-after (control, n=92; intervention, n=90) the introduction of an early mobilization program in a single center, general hospital ICU. Improvement in mobility as assessed by ICU mobility score, on ICU admission and upon ICU discharge, was measured as a primary outcome.
Results
Those receiving early mobilization in the intensive care unit had higher ICU mobility score (2.63; 95% confidence interval, 0.65–4.61; P<0.001) upon discharge from the intensive care, with earlier out of bed mobilization on day 5 compared to the control group of day 21 (P<0.001). No differences were found in terms of mortality, intensive care hospitalization and subsequent hospitalization duration after discharge from ICU.
Conclusions
Here, we report that improvement in mobility score earlier in the course of intensive care hospitalization with the introduction of a protocolized early rehabilitative program.

Citations

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  • Early Active Mobilization during Mechanical Ventilation in the ICU

    New England Journal of Medicine.2023; 388(6): 572.     CrossRef

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