A review of the 2021 anaphylaxis guideline update, linking the underlying physiology with emergency treatment. Iain Beardsell discusses early intramuscular adrenaline, the changing roles of antihistamines and steroids, and the guideline's approach to observation and discharge after a response to treatment.
A March 2021 appraisal of anticoagulation trials in critically ill patients with COVID-19. Simon Carley and Dan Horner examine therapeutic-dose versus usual-care thromboprophylaxis, organ support outcomes and bleeding, explaining why the findings cannot simply be extended to ward patients or treatment of confirmed thrombosis.
A March 2021 review of the RECOVERY convalescent plasma preprint in hospitalised patients with COVID-19. It examines the absence of a survival benefit, donor antibody testing and subgroup findings, and reflects on why promising treatments still need randomised evidence.
What can a specialist prehospital service teach us about a rare emergency airway procedure? This review of London Air Ambulance's 20-year cricothyroidotomy experience separates procedural success from patient survival and considers the implications for training, preparation and interpreting retrospective data.
Dan Horner takes a detailed look at the February 2021 RECOVERY tocilizumab preprint. The appraisal examines reported survival benefits alongside patient selection, incomplete follow-up, absolute versus relative effects and the uncertainties that remained behind the optimistic headlines.
The first February 2021 report of RECOVERY's tocilizumab results, written as the announcement and preprint emerged. Simon Carley and Dan Horner outline the reported benefits in hospitalised patients with hypoxia and inflammation, while flagging the need for fuller appraisal and questions about immunosuppression.
Practical perspectives on trauma care and team leadership.
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