Resuscitation

Could carotid ultrasound make pulse checks more reliable? Natalie May examines a proof-of-concept study using recordings from patients undergoing cardiac surgery, and explains why interpreting those images is a different challenge from obtaining and using them during a real cardiac arrest.

What does STAAMP add to the evidence for prehospital tranexamic acid after trauma? This 2020 appraisal examines the lack of a clear overall mortality benefit, recruitment and power limitations, safety findings and the caution needed when interpreting encouraging timing, shock and dosing subgroups.

Can TEG or ROTEM improve outcomes when added to major haemorrhage care? Natalie May reviews the iTACTIC trial's comparison with conventional coagulation testing, separating faster treatment decisions from demonstrated patient benefit and examining the limits of its size and subgroup findings.

Dan Horner revisits the evidence on venous thromboembolism in COVID-19 as it stood in October 2020. The review examines how screening and case selection affect reported clot rates, the distinction between different thrombotic findings, and uncertainty around risk prediction and higher-dose anticoagulation.

Could intramuscular tranexamic acid be useful when intravenous delivery is difficult? This 2020 review examines a small pharmacokinetic study in trauma patients who had already received IV TXA, distinguishing encouraging absorption data from evidence of improved outcomes or effectiveness as an initial dose.

Does prehospital tranexamic acid improve neurological recovery after moderate or severe head injury? This September 2020 trial appraisal examines the absence of a clear primary-outcome benefit, missing follow-up data, injury severity and how the findings compare with CRASH-3.