Meta-analysis finds high mortality and morbidity for neonates on mechanical ventilation in low-resource settings
Over half of newborns on life support in poor areas still die in the hospital
A systematic review and prognostic meta-analysis examined outcomes for neonates receiving invasive mechanical ventilation in low-resource se…
A major review found that more than 40 percent of newborns needing breathing machines in low-resource settings do not survive their hospital…
Selective decontamination of the digestive tract reduces hospital mortality in mechanically ventilated ICU adults
Selective decontamination lowers death risk for ICU patients on ventilators
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated selective decontamination of the digestive tract (SDD) versus standard care or placebo in…
A massive analysis of 32 studies shows selective decontamination of the digestive tract lowers hospital death rates for adults on ventilator…
Non-routine GRV monitoring does not increase feeding intolerance in ventilated adults
Nurses Can Cut Daily Checks Without Hurting Feeding Plans
This randomized non-inferiority trial compared non-routine (once daily) versus routine 4-hourly gastric residual volume (GRV) monitoring in …
Cutting daily stomach checks saves nursing time without causing more vomiting or feeding problems for ICU patients.
Increasing midazolam sedation levels associated with decreased energy expenditure in mechanically ventilated patients
Deep sedation reduces energy use in critically ill patients
In this prospective self-controlled study of 74 critically ill patients requiring mechanical ventilation, increasing levels of midazolam sed…
Deep sedation levels can lower how much energy the body burns in patients using mechanical ventilation.
Selective Decontamination of the Digestive Tract showed no mortality benefit over standard care in mechanically ventilated patients
A Common ICU Infection Strategy Fails Its Biggest Test
This randomized trial involving 9,289 critically ill patients across 26 ICUs in Australia and Canada evaluated Selective Decontamination of …
A massive ICU trial found that wiping out gut bacteria in ventilated patients reduced infections but did not save more lives.
Low-use wrist-strap restraint strategy did not improve days free of delirium or coma compared with high-use strategy in mechanically ventilated adults
ICU Wrist Restraints: The Surprising Truth About Using Fewer
This randomized clinical trial evaluated a restrictive, low-use wrist-strap physical restraint strategy versus a liberal, high-use strategy …
A major ICU trial found that using fewer wrist restraints did not help patients stay more alert or avoid confusion while on breathing machin…
Diaphragm ultrasound combined with D-RSBI predicts weaning outcomes in neurocritical patients on mechanical ventilation
An Ultrasound May Reveal When Patients Can Breathe Alone
This retrospective analysis examined 128 patients with severe neurological conditions on mechanical ventilation at a Chongqing neurosurgery …
A simple bedside ultrasound of the main breathing muscle, paired with a breath-counting ratio, helped doctors tell who was ready to breathe …
Early supplemental parenteral nutrition may reduce ventilation time and ICU stay in older underfed ICU patients
Early nutrition support linked to shorter ICU stays for older patients on ventilators
A randomized trial in 92 older ICU patients requiring mechanical ventilation and achieving <50% of enteral nutrition targets found that earl…
Starting IV nutrition on day three instead of day seven helped older ICU patients on breathing machines spend less time on ventilators and i…
Nurse-led sedation protocols reduce mortality and delirium in mechanically ventilated ICU patients
Nurse-led sedation protocols in intensive care may reduce patient mortality and complications
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 16 RCTs involving 1,887 mechanically ventilated ICU patients found nurse-led sedation protocols sig…
Nurse-led sedation protocols in intensive care significantly reduce patient death, confusion, and hospital stay length for those on breathin…
Inspiratory muscle training shows no clear effect on physical function in critically ill adults on mechanical ventilation
Breathing muscle training shows uncertain effect on physical function in ICU patients
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 18 studies in adults requiring invasive mechanical ventilation for ≥24 hours found inspiratory musc…
Breathing muscle training for ICU patients on ventilators may not improve their ability to move and perform daily activities, with effects r…
Questions about Mechanical Ventilation
Can ultrasound of the diaphragm predict if a neurocritical patient on mechanical ventilation will breathe on their own?
Yes, diaphragm ultrasound combined with the Diaphragmatic Rapid Shallow Breathing Index (D-RSBI) can predict weaning success in neurocritical patients on mechanical ventilation, though more research is needed.
Full answer →Does using fewer wrist straps help adults on mechanical ventilation stay awake more often?
No, a low-use wrist-strap strategy did not improve days free of delirium or coma compared to a high-use strategy in mechanically ventilated adults.
Full answer →Did selective decontamination of the digestive tract show any benefit over standard care for mechanical ventilation patients?
Yes, selective decontamination of the digestive tract (SDD) likely reduces hospital mortality in mechanically ventilated ICU patients, though results vary across studies.
Full answer →Does selective decontamination of the digestive tract reduce death risk for adults on mechanical ventilation?
Yes, selective decontamination of the digestive tract (SDD) likely reduces hospital mortality in mechanically ventilated ICU adults, based on a large meta-analysis showing a 9% relative risk reduction.
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