Web site designed and maintained by Chris Cairns  © SICS EBM Group 2004                                  

SICS EBMG Update No.4 November 2005

Welcome to the Scottish Intensive Care Societies Evidence-Based Medicine Groups fourth Update. One new review, one revised review and 10 stand-alone critical appraisals. In total this represents 46 newly appraised papers.

New Review

• Preventing Catheter-related Blood Stream Infection (36 Cats). By David Swann, Andrew Longmate & Chris Cairns

 Updated Review

• Using heat and moisture exchange filters reduces the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia. By David Swann.

New Critically Appraised Papers:

• Harvey S, Harrison DA, Singer M et al. Assessment of the clinical effectiveness of the pulmonary artery catheter; a randomised controlled trial. Lancet 2005; 366: 472- 477.By Brian Cuthbertson.

• Abraham E, et al. Drotrecogin Alfa (Activated) for adults with severe sepsis and a low risk of death. New Engl J Med 2005;353:1332-41. By Paul Harrison & Chris Cairns

• Merit Study Investigators. Introduction of the medical emergency team (MET) system: a cluster randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2005. 365: 2091-7. By Brian Cuthbertson

• Squadrone V, et al. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure for treatment of Postoperative Hypoxaemia: A Randomized Controlled Trial. JAMA Volume 293; Feb 2005 Page 589-595. By Pam Doherty

• Esteban A, et al. Non-invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation for Respiratory Failure after extubation. New Engl J Med 2004;350:2452-69. by Pam Doherty

• Effect of an Intensive Glucose Management Protocol on the Mortality of Critically Ill Patients: Mayo Clin Proc. August 2004: 79(8): 992-1000. by Paul McConnell.

• Ferrer M, et al. Noninvasive Ventilation during Persistent Weaning Failure: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Am J Respiratory Crit Care Medicine Vol 168 pp 70-76 2003. by Pam Doherty.

• Busund R, et al. Plasmapheresis in severe sepsis and septic shock: prospective, randomised, controlled trial. Intensive Care Med (2002) 28:1434-1439. By Vaidyanathan Ramanathan.

• Lewis SJ, Egger M, Sylvester PA, Thomas S. Early enteral feeding versus 'nil by mouth' after gastrointestinal surgery: systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials. BMJ 2001; 323: 773-776. by Marcia McDougal.

• Marik PE, Zaloga GP. Early enteral nutrition in acutely ill patients: A systematic review. Critical Care Medicine 2001 Vol. 29 No.12. 2264-2270. by Marcia McDougal.

New Projects Started

Updated Links Page

Updated Stats Page

Regards,

Chris Cairns

Chair, SICS EBMG

sicsebm@btinternet.com

Chris.Cairns@fvah.scot.nhs.uk