Critical Care Alert – August 1, 2021

August 1, 2021

• Is There a Role for Immunomodulatory Therapy in COVID-19 Cytokine Storm?

  In this retrospective analysis of COVID-19 patients hospitalized with cytokine storm, the use of corticosteroids combined with tocilizumab was associated with superior survival when compared to no immunomodulatory treatment; a combination of corticosteroids and anakinra; or corticosteroids, tocilizumab, or anakinra alone. Patients who received corticosteroids, either alone or in combination with anakinra, also experienced lower hospital mortality compared to no treatment.

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• Interleukin-6 Antagonists in the Treatment of Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia

  These two trials had disparate findings with respect to interleukin-6 inhibition, with REMAP-CAP showing a benefit and COVACTA showing none.

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• Dexmedetomidine Compared to Propofol for Sedation in Mechanically Ventilated Patients with Sepsis

  The MENDS2 trial found that dexmedetomidine, when used for light sedation, had outcomes similar to those for propofol.

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