Topic Review
Lung Microbiome in Critically Ill Patients
The microbiome is a diverse ecosystem that includes all host-associated microorganisms and their genomes. These microorganisms belong to various kingdoms including some potential pathogens such as bacteria, viruses and fungi. To obtain a comprehensive view of the lung microbiome, including not only bacterial but also viral and fungal data, is of great value to improve our understanding of critical lung illnesses such as VAP or ARDS. The evolution of the lung microbiome over time and the description of its dysbiosis will be key elements to improve diagnosis and preventive measures in ventilated patients.
  • 433
  • 24 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Platelets in Severe Infection
Beyond their role in hemostasis, platelets have emerged as key contributors in the immune response; accordingly, the occurrence of thrombocytopenia during sepsis/septic shock is a well-known risk factor of mortality and a marker of disease severity.
  • 426
  • 22 Feb 2022
Topic Review
COVID-19 Pandemic Management of LMICs
The World Bank has historically classified countries according to their per capita gross national income (GNI) into three groups: high-income countries (or HICs), middle-income countries (or MICs), and low-income countries (or LICs). In 2020, LICs were 32, suffering high rates of illnesses and infections due to the lack of clean water, low sanitation levels, malnutrition, and the lack of access to quality medical care. Approximately 5 billion people lived in MICs, representing over 70% of the world population. There are a total of 105 MICs. Only 77 countries were classified by the World Bank as HICs. The management of the COVID-19 pandemic represents a challenging process, especially for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) due to the serious economic and health resource problems it generates. 
  • 425
  • 10 Jan 2022
Topic Review
High Flow through Nasal Cannula
High Flow through Nasal Cannula (HFNC) delivers heated and humidified air–oxygen mixture to the patient, with an inspiratory fraction of oxygen (FiO2) ranging from 21 to 100% and a flow up to 60 L/min through a large bore nasal cannula.
  • 423
  • 25 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a specialized temporary life support for patients with severe cardiac or pulmonary failure bridging the time for organ recovery, transplant, or permanent assistance.
  • 421
  • 09 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Electrical Impedance Tomography
Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) is a non-invasive bedside imaging technique that provides real-time lung ventilation information on critically ill patients. EIT can potentially become a valuable tool for optimising mechanical ventilation, especially in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
  • 409
  • 27 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Next-Generation Sequencing and Sepsis
Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is a novel procedure among molecular methods for pathogen diagnostics, and it is able to analyse the overall DNA fragments in the sample.
  • 402
  • 02 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Endocrine Aspects of ICU-Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients
The unprecedented scale of the current SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 pandemic has led to an extensive—yet fragmented—assessment of its endocrine repercussions; in many reports, the endocrine aspects of COVID-19 are lumped together in intensive care unit (ICU) patients and non-ICU patients.
  • 396
  • 18 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Nutritional Imbalance in Mechanically Ventilated Multiple Trauma Patients
The critically ill polytrauma patient is characterized by a series of metabolic changes induced by inflammation, oxidative stress, sepsis, and primary trauma, as well as associated secondary injuries associated. Metabolic and nutritional dysfunction in the critically ill patient is a complex series of imbalances of biochemical and genetic pathways, as well as the interconnection between them. Therefore, the equation changes in comparison to other critical patients or to healthy individuals, in which cases, mathematical equations can be successfully used to predict the energy requirements. Recent studies have shown that indirect calorimetry is one of the most accurate methods for determining the energy requirements in intubated and mechanically ventilated patients. Current research is oriented towards an individualized therapy depending on the energy consumption (kcal/day) of each patient that also takes into account the clinical dynamics. By using indirect calorimetry, one can measure, in real time, both oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production. Energy requirements (kcal/day) and the respiratory quotient (RQ) can be determined in real time by integrating these dynamic parameters into electronic algorithms. In this manner, nutritional therapy becomes personalized and caters to the patients’ individual needs, helping patients receive the energy substrates they need at each clinically specific time of treatment.
  • 395
  • 11 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Advanced and Invasive Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Techniques
Despite numerous promising innovations, the chance of survival from sudden cardiac arrest has remained virtually unchanged. Technological advances have been made, user-friendly portable devices have been developed, and advanced invasive procedures have been described that could improve this unsatisfactory situation. Technical aids, such as feedback systems or automated mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) devices, can improve chest compression quality. The latter, as well as extracorporeal CPR, might serve as a bridge to treatment (with extracorporeal CPR even as a bridge to recovery). Sonography may be used to improve thoracic compressions on the one hand and to rule out potentially reversible causes of cardiac arrest on the other. Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta might enhance myocardial and cerebral perfusion. Minithoracostomy, pericardiocentesis, or clamshell thoracotomy might resolve reversible causes of cardiac arrest. 
  • 390
  • 20 Dec 2022
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