CRITICAL ILLNESS

This study looked at whether using a thin, flexible tube with a camera (fiberoptic bronchoscopy) helps treat severe pneumonia in patients on breathing machines. 100 adults in the ICU were split into two groups: one got standard care, and the other got standard care plus the scope…

This study tested a smart oxygen machine that automatically adjusts oxygen levels for hospitalized patients with serious injuries or illnesses. The goal was to keep oxygen in a safe range (90-96%) for the first 72 hours. 300 adults took part to see if the machine worked better th…

This study looked at whether using special tests (biomarkers) for fungal infections could help doctors safely stop antifungal medicines earlier in intensive care patients. The goal was to reduce the number of days patients receive these drugs, which can have side effects. The stu…

This study looked at whether giving a special liquid nutrition formula soon after surgery helps critically ill mothers who had a C-section and are in the ICU. 83 women participated, and the focus was on meeting their protein and energy needs in the first two days after surgery. T…

This study tested whether a small, wearable device called Geko, which uses mild electrical pulses to stimulate leg muscles, can help prevent dangerous blood clots in critically ill adults. Forty intensive care patients were randomly assigned to receive either the Geko device or s…

This study tested whether a specially shaped tracheal tube cuff could better seal the airway in critically ill patients on breathing machines. Researchers wanted to see if this tapered shape reduced the leakage of stomach and mouth fluids into the lungs, a problem that can lead t…

This pilot study tested whether a sit/stand stabilizer (Liana® mobilizer) helps critically ill patients on breathing support stand more often during their ICU stay. Forty adults expected to stay in the ICU for at least 2 more days were randomly assigned to use the device or recei…

This study tested whether adding a painkiller called nefopam to standard care could reduce the amount of strong opioids needed for sedating critically ill patients on breathing machines. 60 adults participated in a double-blind trial. The goal was to see if nefopam could help pat…

This study tested whether adding specialty palliative care early in the ICU stay helps older adults (60+) at high risk of death or severe disability. Over 1,000 patients and their family members took part. The goal was to see if this approach improves care quality, reduces suffer…

This study tested whether a medicine called guanfacine, given through an IV, could help critically ill patients recover from delirium and confusion faster. 46 adults in the intensive care unit (ICU) took part. The goal was to see if the drug could reduce time spent delirious or i…

This study tested whether a mobile app could help adults who had been in the ICU and were still feeling distressed about it. Participants used the app for 6 weeks to process their difficult memories at their own pace. The goal was to see if people would actually use the app and f…

This study tested whether a special communication device (EyeControl-Pro) could help reduce confusion and delirium in older adults in the intensive care unit who are on breathing machines. The device lets patients communicate using their eyes. The trial involved 160 patients aged…

This study tested whether playing familiar voices (like family members) or nature sounds could help comatose patients in the ICU wake up, feel less pain, and keep their vital signs stable. 90 critically ill patients were split into three groups: one heard familiar voices, one hea…

This study tested whether critically ill patients on breathing machines could safely manage their own sedation using a button-controlled device, instead of relying solely on nurses. 161 participants were randomly assigned to either self-manage their sedation or receive standard n…

This study looked at whether live music played in the ICU can help critically ill patients feel less pain, anxiety, and stress. Over 100 patients, along with their families and hospital staff, took part. Researchers measured changes in pain, anxiety, and relaxation using simple r…

This study tested a new approach where families help with early rehabilitation using internet and mobile tools for critically ill patients in the ICU. The goal was to improve sleep quality and reduce feelings of stigma. 204 adults expected to stay in the ICU for more than 48 hour…

This study tested whether listening to music can lower stress and inflammation in sedated adults on breathing machines in the intensive care unit (ICU). Researchers measured stress hormones and inflammatory markers in the blood of 110 patients before and after a one-hour music se…

This study looked at 62 ICU patients to see how their emotional distress (anxiety and sadness) and physical distress (breathing difficulty and pain) changed during their hospital stay. Researchers also checked if these feelings affected patients' thinking skills when they left th…

This study looked at whether a special training program could help doctors communicate more fairly with Black family members of seriously ill patients. Twenty-two doctors participated in simulated conversations with actors playing family members. The goal was to see if the traini…

This study tested an electronic device that automatically controls the pressure in the cuff of a breathing tube in critically ill patients. The goal was to see if it keeps the pressure in a safe range better than manual checks. 18 ICU patients on ventilators were monitored for 24…

This study looked at how well the body breaks down blood clots in 100 people with sepsis, a life-threatening infection. Researchers used a special test to measure clot breakdown time and compared it to healthy volunteers. The goal was to understand if a delay in clot breakdown is…

This study tested a new method to measure lung blood flow using electrical impedance tomography (EIT) that does not require patients to hold their breath. 24 adults on breathing support (like nasal cannula or high-flow oxygen) took part. The goal was to see if the new method give…

This study tested whether using a special breath test (indirect calorimetry) to measure energy needs can help doctors provide the right amount of nutrition to critically ill patients with obesity who are on breathing machines. The study involved 60 adults from intensive care unit…

This study looked at 28 critically ill patients on breathing machines to see if an ultrasound of the diaphragm could detect a specific breathing problem called double triggering asynchrony. Researchers compared ultrasound results to standard ventilator readings. The goal was to f…

This study checked over 4,000 ICU patients for undiagnosed diabetes and prediabetes using a blood test (HbA1c). It found that many patients had these conditions without knowing, and that these hidden blood sugar problems were linked to higher risks of organ failure and death. The…

This study tested a new program that screens older adults (60+) for memory and thinking problems after they leave the intensive care unit (ICU). The goal was to see if the screening is practical and helps connect people to support. About 109 participants took part, and the progra…

This study tested a communication approach called time-limited trials for 209 critically-ill patients with advanced medical illnesses. Doctors and families agreed on a set period to try ICU treatments and then check if the patient improved. The goal was to see if this method coul…

This study observed over 2,500 critically ill patients on breathing machines in intensive care units around the world. Researchers tracked how doctors gave fluids and blood pressure medicines, and looked for links to patient outcomes like recovery time and survival. The goal was …

This study looked at 200 critically ill patients to see if there is a link between acute gastrointestinal injury and how blood returns to the heart. Doctors used ultrasound to measure blood flow in the gut and veins. The goal was to find better ways to detect gut problems early i…

This study looked at 175 critically ill patients who needed high-flow nasal oxygen and were moved within the hospital for tests or to another unit. The goal was to see how often serious problems, like needing a breathing tube or very low oxygen levels, happened during these moves…

This study looked at how working in intensive care units during the COVID-19 outbreak affected the mental health of doctors, nurses, and other caregivers. Over 700 staff members completed surveys about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and burnout. The g…

This study examined whether using a checklist before placing a breathing tube in intensive care unit (ICU) patients reduces complications. Researchers compared intubation events before and after checklist use in 60 critically ill adults. The main focus was on preventing dangerous…

This study brought together 50 international experts to agree on what training doctors need to safely manage airways in critically ill patients. Using a structured method called Delphi, the experts voted on key training requirements. The goal was to create a shared curriculum, no…

This study looked at whether three blood test ratios (lactate-to-albumin, CRP-to-albumin, and procalcitonin-to-albumin) can predict the risk of death in critically ill adults in the ICU. Researchers reviewed medical records of 212 patients admitted to an ICU in 2024. The goal was…

This study examined whether being infected with SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) increases the chance of intensive care unit (ICU) patients acquiring multidrug-resistant bacteria. Researchers tracked 368 critically ill adults to see how many developed these hard-to-tre…

This study looked at 73 trauma patients in the ICU to see if brainwave (EEG) patterns could predict delirium before it shows up. Researchers recorded brain activity over several days and used machine learning to spot early warning signs. The goal is to help doctors monitor brain …

This study tested whether giving critically ill patients extra amino acids through an IV and having them cycle while in bed could prevent muscle loss during their first week in the ICU. Half of the 50 participants received this combined treatment, while the other half got standar…

This study looked at whether doctors can safely reduce or stop antifungal drugs early in immunocompromised ICU patients suspected of having a fungal infection. Researchers tracked 275 patients across 14 ICUs to see how often treatment was scaled back and if it was safe. The goal …

This study looked at 140 critically ill adults in the ICU to see if the difference between blood sugar and fluid sugar outside cells (the glucose gap) can help doctors understand metabolism and predict death risk. The goal was to find a simpler, real-time way to monitor metabolic…

This study examined whether the initial diagnosis given to patients when they enter the ICU can help predict their risk of dying. Researchers reviewed records of over 1,200 adults admitted to a mixed ICU in 2025. They focused on common critical conditions like sepsis, ARDS, and o…

This study looked back at the medical records of 168 adults who survived a cardiac arrest and were treated in the intensive care unit. Researchers wanted to find early signs—like lab results and vital signs—that could predict whether a patient would die within 30 days or 6 months…

This study looked at whether it is possible and acceptable to give patients leaving the intensive care unit (ICU) a personalized program of physiotherapy and optimized nutrition. Sixty adults who had been on a breathing machine for at least 4 days took part. The goal was to see i…

This study examined whether a blood test called the Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index (SII) can help predict the risk of death in critically ill patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). Researchers looked back at the records of 570 adults admitted to the ICU. They found that h…

This study tested whether a near-infrared light device helps nurses start an IV on the first try in ICU patients with swollen arms. About 380 critically ill adults took part. The device shines light to show veins under the skin, which may make IV placement easier and reduce patie…

This study observed how fluids are given to nearly 5,000 critically ill adults in ICUs worldwide. It aimed to understand current fluid-giving practices and whether they affect patient outcomes. No new treatments were tested; instead, researchers gathered data to improve future ca…

This study created a new method to check insulin resistance in real time for very sick patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). Instead of using invasive tests, the method uses continuous glucose monitoring data. Researchers studied 179 adults to see how well this new approach …

This study looked at 172 patients in the intensive care unit after surgery who needed insulin. Researchers compared two different ways of giving insulin through a vein to see which method caused fewer ups and downs in blood sugar levels. The goal was to find out if a special setu…

This study looked at whether critically ill patients in the ICU should keep receiving liquid nutrition through a feeding tube right up until their breathing tube is removed. Currently, many patients are made to fast for hours beforehand, which can lead to missed nutrition. The tr…

This study looked at how different combinations of nursing staff in intensive care units (ICUs) affect patient survival and recovery. Researchers surveyed 294 UK ICUs, observed staff in 6 hospitals, and analyzed patient outcomes over 3 years. The goal was to find the best staffin…

This study looked at 325 adults with crush syndrome in the intensive care unit to see if certain blood test results could predict who was at higher risk of dying within 28 days. Researchers compared these simple blood markers to standard severity scores. The goal was to find easi…

This study looked at how two types of liquid food (Pediasure and Nourish) change the gut bacteria in very sick children. 32 children in the intensive care unit took part. Researchers collected stool and saliva samples to see how the formulas affected the microbiome.

This study looked at how ICU patients on breathing machines process protein. Researchers gave 8 patients two different protein amounts (1.3 vs 2.0 grams per kilogram daily) and measured protein breakdown using a special breath test. The goal was to learn which protein level might…

This study looked at whether a combined breathing muscle training program is safe and practical for adult ICU patients who are on or recently off a breathing machine. 22 patients took part, and the main goal was to see if the training could be done consistently and without harm. …

This study looked at whether giving tube feedings at set times (intermittent) instead of continuously could help restore the natural day-night rhythm in critically ill ICU patients. Twenty-four adults received one of the two feeding methods for at least 10 days. Researchers measu…

This study reviewed medical records of 238 severely burned adults who needed continuous kidney therapy (CRRT) in the intensive care unit. Researchers looked at how the timing of starting therapy and the severity of kidney injury related to survival and hospital stay. The goal was…

This study tested two existing scores (PAWS and PEWS) to see how well they measure illness severity in children admitted to intermediate care units. Over 3,000 children took part, and researchers tracked vital signs like heart rate, breathing, and oxygen levels. The goal was to v…

This study looked at 140 critically ill patients to see if the difference between glucose levels in the blood and in the tissue (called the glucose gap) can help doctors understand metabolism and predict patient outcomes. The goal was to find a simpler, less invasive way to monit…

This study tested a web-based tool to help family members who make medical decisions for critically ill older adults in the ICU. The tool provided information, helped families prepare for meetings with doctors, and shared their questions and concerns with the care team. The goal …

This study looked at over 1.5 million adults admitted to French intensive care units (ICUs) between 2013 and 2019. Researchers wanted to understand trends in patient numbers, how sick they were, how long they stayed, and death rates. They found that while patients were more criti…

This study looked at 20 critically ill patients on breathing machines to see which method of testing their ability to breathe on their own causes less muscle fatigue. Patients tried two different breathing tests, and researchers measured muscle activity using special sensors. The…

This study looked at 43 critically ill adults with acute kidney injury who received continuous kidney replacement therapy (CRRT). Researchers measured how much carnitine, vitamins, and amino acids were removed by the machine. The goal was to understand if this treatment causes nu…

This study looked at why many critically ill children develop stomach and gut problems. Researchers measured certain molecules in the blood and stool of 99 children to see if they are linked to poor stomach emptying and gut barrier damage. The goal was to better understand the ca…

This study looked at 150 ICU patients on breathing machines to see if adding a brain activity monitor (pEEG) to standard sedation checks could reduce confusion (delirium), time on the ventilator, and long-term problems after ICU. Researchers compared patients who got both the bra…

This study collected information from 964 critically ill patients in intensive care units across multiple countries to understand how doctors prescribe and monitor aminoglycoside antibiotics (tobramycin, amikacin, or gentamicin). The goal was to describe current practices and ide…

This study looked at whether using ultrasound to check the stomach and gut could help doctors feed critically ill patients more successfully. About 294 adults in the ICU took part. The goal was to see if this approach helps patients reach their calorie targets and reduces feeding…

This small pilot study tested whether it is possible to set personalized blood pressure targets for critically ill patients based on their brain's oxygen levels. Researchers monitored 16 ICU patients with respiratory failure or shock for 24 hours to find each patient's optimal bl…

This study aimed to find better ways to predict kidney injury after heart surgery. Researchers tested new biomarkers in over 3,000 patients who developed kidney problems within two days of surgery. The goal was to see if these tests could identify which patients would get worse o…

This study looked at whether a substance in the blood called homocysteine can help doctors understand how severe preeclampsia is in pregnant women. Preeclampsia is a condition that causes high blood pressure and protein in the urine after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Researchers measur…