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The Briefing · Emergency & Critical Care

Continuous newsroom coverage of evidence in Emergency & Critical Care — newest first.

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24 stories
  1. Higher Rocuronium Dose Linked to Increased First-Attempt Intubation Success in ICU
    American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine ·Cohort Study · May 22, 2026

    Higher Rocuronium Dose Linked to Increased First-Attempt Intubation Success in ICU

    A secondary analysis suggests that rocuronium doses above 1.2 mg/kg improve intubation success in critically ill ICU patients.

  2. Idarucizumab Reversal Before Thrombolysis in AIS Patients Shows Comparable Safety
    Neurology ·Cohort Study · May 22, 2026

    Idarucizumab Reversal Before Thrombolysis in AIS Patients Shows Comparable Safety

    Real-world data suggest intravenous thrombolysis after dabigatran reversal is safe and effective as in non-anticoagulated patients.

  3. ABCDEF Bundle Does Not Reduce Delirium, Improves Specific Quality of Life Domain
    Critical Care Medicine ·Randomized Controlled Trial · May 21, 2026

    ABCDEF Bundle Does Not Reduce Delirium, Improves Specific Quality of Life Domain

    A randomized trial in Australian ICU patients found no delirium reduction with the ABCDEF bundle, but noted better 90-day 'usual activities' scores.

  4. Protein-Based Model Improves Short-Term Lung Cancer Risk Prediction
    JAMA ·Cohort Study · May 21, 2026

    Protein-Based Model Improves Short-Term Lung Cancer Risk Prediction

    A new protein-based model enhances identification of individuals with a smoking history at high short-term risk for lung cancer.

  5. Postpartum Period Linked to Higher Risk of Myasthenia Gravis Exacerbations
    Neurology ·Cohort Study · May 21, 2026

    Postpartum Period Linked to Higher Risk of Myasthenia Gravis Exacerbations

    A population-based cohort study clarifies the fluctuating risk of myasthenia gravis exacerbations during and after pregnancy.

  6. Multimodal Prehabilitation Reduces Complications, Shortens Hospital Stays After Colorectal Surgery
    JAMA Surgery ·Cohort Study · May 21, 2026

    Multimodal Prehabilitation Reduces Complications, Shortens Hospital Stays After Colorectal Surgery

    A nationwide cohort study shows pre-surgical interventions improve outcomes for unselected colorectal cancer patients.

  7. ARDS Inflammatory Phenotypes Show Differential Mortality and Ventilation Response
    Lancet Respiratory Medicine ·Cohort Study · May 21, 2026

    ARDS Inflammatory Phenotypes Show Differential Mortality and Ventilation Response

    A retrospective cohort study reveals distinct 60-day mortality rates and varied responses to lung-protective ventilation parameters across ARDS.

  8. Texas Abortion Ban Linked to Increased Critical Illness in High-Risk Pregnant Patients
    American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine ·Cohort Study · May 21, 2026

    Texas Abortion Ban Linked to Increased Critical Illness in High-Risk Pregnant Patients

    A retrospective cohort study in Texas found that a 2021 abortion ban correlated with higher rates of critical illness, sepsis, and infection.

  9. Low-Dose Buprenorphine Sustains Ketamine's Antisuicidal Effects in MDD
    American Journal of Psychiatry ·Randomized Controlled Trial · May 21, 2026

    Low-Dose Buprenorphine Sustains Ketamine's Antisuicidal Effects in MDD

    A randomized trial indicates sublingual buprenorphine extends ketamine's rapid reduction of suicidal ideation in major depressive disorder.

  10. Acute Care Surgery Fellowships Accelerate Military Surgical Readiness
    Journal of Trauma: Injury, Infection, and Critical Care ·Cohort Study · May 21, 2026

    Acute Care Surgery Fellowships Accelerate Military Surgical Readiness

    A retrospective analysis indicates that AAST ACS fellowships enable general surgeons to meet military readiness standards within 12 months.

  11. COPD Bronchoalveolar Lavage Reveals Specific Immune Cell Shifts Linked to Disease Severity
    American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine ·Cross-Sectional Study · May 21, 2026

    COPD Bronchoalveolar Lavage Reveals Specific Immune Cell Shifts Linked to Disease Severity

    Single-cell sequencing identifies expanded macrophage, monocyte, and T-lymphocyte populations associated with airflow limitation and gas exchange.

  12. MIPD Improves Early Postoperative Activity, Reduces Stress for Pancreatic Resection
    JAMA Surgery ·Randomized Controlled Trial · May 21, 2026

    MIPD Improves Early Postoperative Activity, Reduces Stress for Pancreatic Resection

    A randomized trial shows minimally invasive pancreatoduodenectomy leads to higher physical activity and heart rate variability for weeks.

  13. Weight Loss Intervention Safe in Older AF Patients, But Does Not Improve Symptoms
    JAMA ·Randomized Controlled Trial · May 21, 2026

    Weight Loss Intervention Safe in Older AF Patients, But Does Not Improve Symptoms

    A randomized clinical trial indicates that while weight loss is achievable and safe in older, overweight AF patients, it may not reduce AF symptoms.

  14. Azithromycin Does Not Reduce Acute Wheezing Severity in Preschoolers
    New England Journal of Medicine ·Randomized Controlled Trial · May 21, 2026

    Azithromycin Does Not Reduce Acute Wheezing Severity in Preschoolers

    A multicenter trial found azithromycin offered no significant clinical benefit over placebo for moderate-to-severe wheezing symptoms.

  15. Vertebrobasilar and Middle Cerebral Aneurysms Carry Highest Case Fatality Rates
    Neurology ·Cohort Study · May 21, 2026

    Vertebrobasilar and Middle Cerebral Aneurysms Carry Highest Case Fatality Rates

    A population-based study of 13,470 cases shows that aneurysm location significantly influences sudden death and 30-day mortality risks.

  16. Inhaled Treprostinil Slows Lung Function Decline, Reduces Clinical Worsening in IPF
    New England Journal of Medicine ·Randomized Controlled Trial · May 20, 2026

    Inhaled Treprostinil Slows Lung Function Decline, Reduces Clinical Worsening in IPF

    A phase 3 trial demonstrates that inhaled treprostinil significantly mitigates FVC reduction and clinical deterioration in patients with idiopathic.

  17. Validating Generative AI Therapeutics: A Proposed Framework for Clinical Integration
    World Psychiatry ·Consensus Statement · May 20, 2026

    Validating Generative AI Therapeutics: A Proposed Framework for Clinical Integration

    A new framework outlines a multi-stage validation process to ensure the safety and efficacy of generative AI agents in mental health care.

  18. Fine Particulate Matter Increases Risk of Recurrent Stroke and Death
    Neurology ·Cohort Study · May 20, 2026

    Fine Particulate Matter Increases Risk of Recurrent Stroke and Death

    A national cohort study finds that PM2.5 exposure nearly triples the risk of stroke recurrence and secondary cardiovascular events.

  19. 4% Tetrasodium EDTA Lock Reduces CVAD Complications in ICU Adults
    JAMA ·Randomized Controlled Trial · May 20, 2026

    4% Tetrasodium EDTA Lock Reduces CVAD Complications in ICU Adults

    A multicenter, cluster-randomized trial shows 4% t-EDTA locking fluid decreases a composite of CVAD-associated events, primarily catheter occlusions.

  20. VSED with Hospice: Clinical Course, Symptom Management, and Patient Demographics
    Journal of Pain and Symptom Management ·Case Series · May 20, 2026

    VSED with Hospice: Clinical Course, Symptom Management, and Patient Demographics

    A case series details the clinical trajectory, symptom burden, and care needs of patients choosing voluntarily stopping eating and drinking.

  21. Tezepelumab Reduces Oral Corticosteroid Use in Severe Asthma
    Lancet Respiratory Medicine ·Randomized Controlled Trial · May 20, 2026

    Tezepelumab Reduces Oral Corticosteroid Use in Severe Asthma

    A phase 3 trial demonstrates that tezepelumab significantly lowers daily oral corticosteroid dose in adults with severe, OCS-dependent asthma.

  22. Dupilumab Reduces COPD Hospitalizations, ED Visits, and Corticosteroid Use
    American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine ·Meta-Analysis · May 20, 2026

    Dupilumab Reduces COPD Hospitalizations, ED Visits, and Corticosteroid Use

    A pooled analysis of two phase 3 trials shows dupilumab significantly lowers healthcare utilization and corticosteroid burden in COPD patients.

  23. Selective Early PDA Pharmacotherapy Feasible in Extremely Preterm Infants
    Archives of Disease in Childhood Fetal & Neonatal ·Randomized Controlled Trial · May 20, 2026

    Selective Early PDA Pharmacotherapy Feasible in Extremely Preterm Infants

    A pilot randomized trial demonstrates the feasibility of a targeted medical approach for patent ductus arteriosus in infants under 26 weeks'.

  24. Non-Ischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy: Higher Prevalence, Complex Genetics
    Nature Reviews Cardiology ·Narrative Review · May 20, 2026

    Non-Ischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy: Higher Prevalence, Complex Genetics

    Updated estimates suggest non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy affects 1 in 220, driven by diverse genetic and environmental factors.