50 Studies Every Intensivist Should Know

Abstract

There has been an explosion of clinical trials in critical care medicine since the inception of the specialty more than 50 years ago. This explosion has made it challenging as a trainee in critical care medicine to gain expertise in evidence based medicine. Determining how best to care for patients and understanding the basis for our practice is a never-ending process for all clinicians and it is particularly daunting for trainees. Even for the practicing intensivist, feeling confident in one’s knowledge base of foundational studies in the ever-growing field of critical care practice is no easy task.50 Studies Every Intensivist Should Know presents key studies that have shaped the practice of critical care medicine. Selected using a rigorous methodology, the studies cover topics including: sedation and analgesia, resuscitation, shock, ARDS, nutrition, renal failure, trauma, infection, diabetes, and physical therapy. For each study, a concise summary is presented with an emphasis on the results and limitations of the study, and its implications for practice. An illustrative clinical case concludes each review, followed by brief information on other relevant studies. Selection of studies that emphasize topics that come up frequently on ICU rounds was a priority. This book is a must-read for health care professionals and anyone who wants to learn more about the data behind clinical practice.