A retrospective review of 600 patients treated for suspected sepsis in US emergency departments raises questions about antibiotic overtreatment. We examine the study’s use of hindsight, possible treatment-related harms and how its findings translate to UK practice.
JC: Are we overtreating suspected sepsis with broad-spectrum antibiotics? Read More
The Ket-Mid trial tested adding ketamine to midazolam for initial treatment of paediatric convulsive status epilepticus. We review its seizure-control findings and explain why the single-centre setting, delayed treatment and differences from UK practice make the author cautious about changing care.
JC: Ketamine or Midazolam as first choice for Paediatric Status Epilepticus? St Emlyn’s Read More
How should we assess children with one or two positive PECARN abdominal trauma criteria? This appraisal examines a secondary analysis of the prediction rule, the different risks associated with individual findings and the continuing role of clinical judgement and repeated assessment.
Evaluating the PECARN Abdominal Trauma Rule in the grey zone…. Read More
A collection of trauma and resuscitation papers discussed at ICEM 2025 in Montreal, with summaries and critical appraisal. Topics include transfusion, oxygen strategies, paediatric cervical spine assessment, regional analgesia and emergency airway management.
Top 10 trauma/resus papers for IFEM 2025 Read More
Twenty-one years of London’s Air Ambulance data offer a closer look at prehospital resuscitative thoracotomy. This appraisal examines survival, timing and the distinction between tamponade and exsanguination, alongside the limits of applying an observational study from a mature urban service elsewhere.
The Sub30 study tested whether a London prehospital team could establish extracorporeal CPR within 30 minutes of cardiac arrest. This appraisal examines the logistical lessons, the small patient group and the distinction between demonstrating feasibility and showing a survival benefit.
Pre Hospital Extracorporeal CPR (ECPR) in the UK: The Sub30 study Read More
Can an early exercise programme improve recovery after blunt chest trauma? We review the ELECT2 randomised trial, its findings on pain and quality of life at three months, and what the results mean for rehabilitation practice.
This retrospective study explores the link between intra-arrest arterial blood pressure (IBP) and return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).
