Ashley Liebig's January 2020 introduction to the novel coronavirus outbreak, written as cases began appearing beyond China. The article records the early questions facing clinicians and the information available at that point, offering a historical snapshot rather than an up-to-date account of COVID-19.
Do longer ultrasound-guided peripheral cannulas last longer in patients with difficult intravenous access? This randomised-trial appraisal explores catheter survival, insertion success and the amount of catheter within the vein, while distinguishing longer peripheral cannulas from midlines and considering the study's protocol limitations.
Notes from day two of Critical Care Reviews 2020, covering ROSE, CITRIS-ALI and BIRDS, alongside editorial perspectives and the John Hinds Memorial Lecture. These conference highlights signpost research and discussion rather than providing full critical appraisals of every paper.
Did adding vitamin C and thiamine to hydrocortisone improve outcomes in septic shock? This 2020 VITAMINS appraisal examines a randomised comparison that found no improvement in its primary vasopressor-free-time outcome, while discussing the contrast with earlier observational claims and remaining questions about timing and patient selection.
A 2020 appraisal of PEPTIC, comparing proton pump inhibitors with H2 receptor blockers for stress-ulcer prophylaxis in intensive care. The review examines mortality and gastrointestinal bleeding outcomes, treatment crossover and competing interpretations of a large pragmatic trial whose clinical implications were debated.
Day-one highlights from Critical Care Reviews 2020, including TRACT, COACT, SPICE III, HYPERION and ICU-ROX. The report brings together discussions of transfusion, cardiac arrest, sedation and oxygen therapy, alongside questions about trial design and how clinicians interpret research.