Reader introduction resulted in execution of all critical actions. During the debriefing of the simulated scenarios, subjects acknowledged the benefit of the Reader.

There is evidence to support the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of dexmedetomidine in animal models. Several clinical investigations have demonstrated favorable outcomes using dexmedetomidine over placebo for the reduction of postoperative delirium. Few studies have used high-quality endpoints for the assessment of POCD and no demonstrable evidence supports the use of dexmedetomidine for the prevention of POCD. While evidence exists for the neural anti-inflammatory properties of dexmedetomidine, human trials have yielded incomplete results concerning its use for the management of POCD. Dexmedetomidine may reduce acute postoperative delirium, but further studies are needed prior to recommending the use of dexmedetomidine for the direct reduction of POCD.

Control animals demonstrated increased active avoidance behavior in the AAPA task compared with isoflurane-treated animals. Animals exposed to 2-hour isoflurane general anesthetic had a reduction in the maximum path of avoidance measure up to 7 days postanesthesia, whereas gross spatial parameters such as number of entrances into the shock zone were not significantly different between groups. The AAPA model may prove useful in ascertaining the learning and memory deficits of postoperative cognitive dysfunction.

ObjectiveSepsis is a condition associated with a dysregulated inflammatory response to infection with significant morbidity. Recent advances have elucidated the vital role that the short chain fatty acid glycoprotein receptor 43 (FFA2/GPR43) plays in inflammatory and immunomodulatory pathways. We hypothesized that elevated whole blood GPR43 RNA expression would be associated with increased 30-day survival in patients admitted with sepsis. Patients (n = 93) admitted to the intensive care unit with the diagnosis of sepsis underwent quantitative real time PCR within 48 h of intensive care unit admission. Clinical and demographical parameters were retrospectively extracted from the chart and compared to quantitative measurements of GPR43 RNA expression.ResultsUtilizing logistic regression, we found that the odds of mortality decreased for every one-unit increase in GPR43 RNA expression for patients that survived to 30 days [OR = 0.71; 95% CI (0.50, 0.99) p = 0.049]. Using linear regression, we determined that the increase in whole blood GPR43 expression was not associated with whole blood white cell count [r = 0.04; 95% CI (−0.16, 0.24); p = 0.70] or body mass index [r = − 0.07; 95% CI (− 0.23, 0.18); p = 0.81]. We conclude that the GPR43 receptor plays an integral role in survival during and after sepsis.

Acute and chronic pain in trauma patients remains a challenging entity, particularly in the setting of the escalating opioid epidemic. It has been reported that chronic opioid use increases the likelihood of hospital admissions as a result of traumatic injuries. Furthermore, patients admitted with traumatic injuries have a greater than average risk of developing opioid use disorder after discharge. Practitioners providing care to these patients will encounter the issue of balancing analgesic goals and acute opioid withdrawal with the challenge of reducing postdischarge persistent opioid use. Additionally, the practitioner is faced with the worrisome prospect that inadequate treatment of acute pain may lead to the development of chronic pain and overtreatment may result in opioid dependence. It is therefore imperative to understand and execute alternative nonopioid strategies to maximize the benefits and reduce the risks of analgesic regimens in this patient population. This narrative review will analyze the current literature on pain management in trauma patients and highlight the application of the multimodal approach in potentially reducing the risks of both short- and long-term opioid use. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Narrative review, moderate to High.

The rapid rise in the opioid epidemic has had a deleterious impact across the United States. This increase has drawn the attention of the critical care community not only because of the surge in acute opioid overdose-related admissions, but also due to the increase in the number of opioid-dependent and opioid-tolerant patients being treated in the intensive care unit (ICU). Opioid-related issues relevant to the critical care physician include direct care of patients with opioid overdoses, the provision of sufficient analgesia to patients with opioid dependence and tolerance, and the task of preventing long-term opioid dependence in patients who survive ICU care. This review identifies the challenges facing the ICU physician working with patients presenting with opioid-related complications, discusses current solutions, and suggests future areas of research and heightened ICU clinician attention.

Background: Atypical antipsychotics (AAP) have been associated with reduced duration of delirium in the intensive care setting. However, long-term use of these drugs is associated with significant adverse events, including increased all-cause mortality in the elderly. Inappropriate continuation of AAPs after discharge from the intensive care unit (ICU) is worrisome and needs to be addressed. The aim of this work was to assess the prevalence of continuation of AAPs after hospital discharge and evaluate the associated risk factors. Method: This was a single-center retrospective chart analysis in the setting of adult ICUs at a tertiary care academic medical center. It involved all adult patients admitted to the ICU and initiated on AAPs from January 2012 to December 2014. The measurements were: (1) prevalence of ICU-initiated AAP continuation following hospital discharge, (2) risk factors associated with continuation of AAPs following hospital discharge, and (3) risk of continuation of AAPs in patients ⩾65 years of age. Results: A total of 55% of ICU patients initiated on AAPs were discharged from the hospital with a prescription for continued AAP therapy. Male sex and discharge location were highly associated with continuation upon discharge. Older patients (⩾65 years of age) were not at a higher risk of being continued on these drugs after discharge. Conclusion: Male sex and discharge to a healthcare facility were associated with a higher rate of continuation. Research into practical methods to reduce their continuation upon discharge should be performed to mitigate the long-term risks of AAP administration.

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