Evaluation of the Oxiris Membrane in Cardiogenic Shock Requiring Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support: Study Protocol for a Single Center, Single-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial
Background: Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is the rescue treatment proposed to patients with refractory cardiogenic shock. The VA-ECMO implantation promotes inflammation and ischemia-reperfusion injuries through the VA-ECMO flow, causing digestive mucosa barrier disrupture and inducing translocation of bacterial wall components—Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) with further inflammation and circulatory impairment. LPS is a well-studied surrogate indicator of bacterial translocation. Oxiris membrane is a promising and well-tolerated device that can specifically remove LPS. The main study aim is to compare the LPS elimination capacity of Oxiris membrane vs. a non-absorban…
Vasopressor-Sparing Strategies in Patients with Shock: A Scoping-Review and an Evidence-Based Strategy Proposition
Despite the abundant literature on vasopressor therapy, few studies have focused on vasopressor-sparing strategies in patients with shock. We performed a scoping-review of the published studies evaluating vasopressor-sparing strategies by analyzing the results from randomized controlled trials conducted in patients with shock, with a focus on vasopressor doses and/or duration reduction. We analyzed 143 studies, mainly performed in septic shock. Our analysis demonstrated that several pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies are associated with a decrease in the duration of vasopressor therapy. These strategies are as follows: implementing a weaning strategy, vasopressin use, system…
Fasting does not guarantee empty stomach in the intensive care unit: A prospective ultrasonographic evaluation (The NUTRIGUS study).
BACKGROUND In the intensive care unit (ICU), a fasting period is usually respected to avoid gastric aspiration during airway management procedures. Since there are no recognised guidelines, intensive care physicians balance the aspiration risk with the negative consequences of underfeeding. Our objective was to determine the impact of fasting on gastric emptying in critically ill patients by using gastric ultrasound. MATERIAL AND METHODS Among the 112 patients that met the inclusion criteria, 100 patients were analysed. Gastric ultrasonography was performed immediately before extubation. Patients with either 1/ an absence of visualised gastric content (qualitative evaluation) or 2/ a gastri…