Chacko's Critical Care Blogspot

Schmidt RC, et al. Propofol versus ketamine in rapid sequence intubation in critically ill patients: a prospective, randomized, controlled trial. Intensive Care Med. 2026 Mar;52(3):476–89. Introduction Rapid sequence intubation in the ICU may be associated with life-threatening events, including hypotension, hypoxemia, and cardiac arrest in up to 45% of cases (1). Such adve...

SuDDICU Investigators for the Australia and New Zealand Intensive Care Society Clinical Trials Group and the Canadian Critical Care Trials Group. Selective Decontamination of the Digestive Tract during Ventilation in the ICU. N Engl J Med. 2026 Apr 16;394(15):1491–502. Introduction  In mechanically ventilated patients, lower respiratory tract infections are thought to occur...

They sat by her bedside as she slept peacefully. When they patted her forehead, she opened her eyes and looked at them. She tried to give a faint squeeze as they held her hand.  I know you’re doing your best for me, my children, she seemed to tell them.  The nurses were kind and spoke soothingly;…