Start Peripheral Vasopressors Early in Shock!

It has been dogmatically believed that prolonged infusion of any vasopressor mandates placement of a central line.  However, available evidence doesn’t support this. Diluted solutions of all catecholamines are safe (except Vasopressin) to be administered peripherally via a well functioning 18-20G IV or larger in forearm (no hand/wrist/AC) . No old IVs (>72 hrs) Know how […]

Surviving Sepsis Guidelines 2021: Recommendations and Best Practice Statements

The recommendation for an initial fluid bolus of 30 mL/kg was downgraded from a strong recommendation to a weak recommendation, based on the low quality of evidence. However, resuscitation should start immediately. Balanced crystalloid solution (e.g., lactated Ringer’s solution) should be used (rather than normal saline) for resuscitation. Administration of vasopressors should be initiated via […]

Infectious Diseases Society of America Guidelines on the Treatment and Management of Patients with COVID-19

COVID-19 is a pandemic with a rapidly increasing incidence of infections and deaths. Many pharmacologic therapies are being used or considered for treatment. Summarized below are the recommendations with comments related to the clinical practice guideline for the treatment and management of COVID-19.

Paediatric Sepsis Guidelines 2020

Normal (Abnormal) Saline vs. Ringer’s Lactate

The choice of crystalloid fluid for volume resuscitation is debated often. With rising concern about the effect of hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis associated with normal saline, clinicians more commonly are opting for balanced crystalloids, such as lactated Ringer’s solution or Plasma-Lyte. 

The Surviving Sepsis Campaign Bundle: 2018 update

Neutropaenic fever in kids

  Don’t be fooled. The patient with no immune system deserves significant respect and requires our vigilance. Be thorough.Where is the source? Look at the mucous membranes and consider necrotizing fasciitis (i.e., look in the perineum)! Be aggressive! If the child looks sick, throw all of the antibiotics at them. If the child looks well, […]

Fluid Resuscitation

The PLR Maneuver is the only accurate method to date for determining fluid responsiveness

Sepsis treatment benchmarks

Lactate in Sepsis: Pearls & Pitfalls…

Despite the ongoing controversy regarding the optimal endpoints of early sepsis resuscitation and the source of hyperlactemia, lactate remains the best non-invasive marker of illness severity. Given the current data, a ≥ 10% lactate clearance at 6 hours is an appropriate marker to follow when resuscitating a septic patient. However, recent research by Puskarich et […]