October 5, 2026
Vasopressors need not wait for central access
A functioning short peripheral IV can start vasopressors promptly, provided the site is closely monitored.
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September 29, 2026
Choose inotropes by physiology, not pressure
Inotrope choice starts with perfusion, heart rate and afterload, not blood pressure alone.
Read briefingSeptember 24, 2026
When ventilation makes shock worse
Positive pressure changes preload and afterload, so its haemodynamic effect depends on the failing circulation.
Read briefingSeptember 23, 2026
Cooling longer after cardiac arrest adds little
TTM2 and ICECAP separate fever control from the unanswered question of whether hypothermia helps.
Read briefingSeptember 14, 2026
Brain death requires a complete assessment
Residual responses, confounders or incomplete testing can prevent a brain death diagnosis despite devastating injury.
Read briefingSeptember 13, 2026
The physiology changes when bypass starts
Bypass deliberately alters blood, temperature and coagulation, so abnormal numbers need physiological interpretation.
Read briefingSeptember 12, 2026
When a chest drain can wait
Stable trauma patients with pneumothorax may reach CT before chest drainage when physiology and logistics allow.
Read briefingSeptember 11, 2026
Preventing secondary injury after severe TBI
In severe head injury, protecting oxygenation and cerebral perfusion starts before the CT scan.
Read briefingSeptember 7, 2026
When a pericardial effusion becomes dangerous
Tamponade depends on impaired cardiac filling and haemodynamics, not simply the size of the effusion.
Read briefingSeptember 6, 2026
Post-cardiotomy collapse needs a different algorithm
After cardiac surgery, invasive data and procedure-specific responses can matter more than a generic arrest algorithm.
Read briefingAugust 23, 2026
Does oseltamivir help severe influenza?
A concerning mortality signal makes routine antiviral prescribing harder to justify in critical illness.
Read briefingAugust 18, 2026
Pulse oximetry and opioid treatment decisions
Check signal quality before escalating oxygen, and preserve maintenance treatment during acute pain.
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