Does fluid choice affect outcomes in intensive care? This 2021 appraisal of BaSICS compares Plasma-Lyte with 0.9% saline, examining 90-day mortality, infusion rates and subgroup findings while cautioning against generalising to every balanced solution or patient setting.
JC: The BASICS trial. 0.9% saline vs balanced solution. Does it matter? Read More
An August 2021 appraisal of the RECOVERY-RS preprint comparing CPAP, high-flow nasal oxygen and conventional oxygen for COVID-19 respiratory failure. It separates the findings on intubation from those on mortality and examines early stopping, crossover and possible treatment-decision bias.
JC: Non-invasive ventilation for COVID 19 patients. The Recovery RS trial. St Emlyn’s Read More
A podcast round-up of the St Emlyn’s blog from June and July 2021. The linked reading spans thunderstorm asthma, COVID-19 treatment trials, ultrasound in shock, post-arrest temperature management and equitable publishing, alongside education, research careers and medical fiction.
Podcast – June and July 2021 Monthly Round Up Read More
Does cooling to 33°C improve outcomes after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest? This 2021 review of TTM2 compares hypothermia with actively managed normothermia, examining survival, neurological outcomes, adverse events and why fever control should not be confused with leaving temperature unmanaged.
JC: The TTM2 trial. Normothermia or hypothermia post cardiac arrest. Read More
A June 2021 review of early RECOVERY results for casirivimab and imdevimab in hospitalised COVID-19 patients. It explains the reported mortality benefit in patients without detectable antibodies, why that finding did not extend to the whole trial population, and the preliminary evidence available then.
REGN monoclonal antibodies work in selected hospitalised COVID-19 patients. St Emlyn’s Read More
Iain and Simon revisit the St Emlyn’s blog in their May 2021 podcast round-up. The linked reading covers anaphylaxis, staff wellbeing, adult congenital heart disease, calcium in trauma, spontaneous coronary artery dissection and reporting hospital data after the Manchester Arena bombing.
Podcast – May 2021 Monthly Round Up Read More
A June 2021 look at the first RECOVERY results for aspirin in hospitalised COVID-19 patients. The review considers the absence of a demonstrated mortality benefit, the balance between bleeding and thrombotic events, and the limits of the early results.
JC: Aspirin is not effective for hospitalised COVID19 patients. St Emlyn’s Read More
Iain and Simon revisit April 2021 on the St Emlyn’s blog, including how prior beliefs influence critical appraisal and the emerging discussion of post-vaccine headache and VITT. The round-up also includes Peter Brindley’s reflections on FOAMed quality and recognition.
Podcast – April 2021 Monthly Round Up Read More
