Intensive care update: Seven studies that should change your practice

ABSTRACT

Seven recent studies in intensive care found that:

• The need for intravenous sedation should continually be reassessed

• Low-dose dopamine does not offer significant renal protection

• Higher doses of continuous venovenous hemofiltration may improve survival

• Subclavian central venous catheterization is associated with fewer complications than the femoral route

• We have little evidence to support the use of ranitidine and sucralfate as prophylaxis for stress ulcers

• Many young patients with suspected bacterial meningitis can undergo lumbar puncture without a CT scan if they have no abnormalities on a quick history and physical examination

• Intensive insulin therapy to control blood glucose lowers the mortality rate.