Pediatric critical care

Abstract

The search for more effective therapies and techniques directed toward shock and resuscitation continues to be the subject of extensive research in the critical care literature. One area of intense focus is the hypothesis that nonsurvivors with poor oxygen delivery can be converted to survivors if their oxygen delivery variables are maximized. Based on recent controlled clinical trials, this remains controversial. In addition, the notion of monoclonal antibody as the magic bullet for endotoxin-induced septic shock is undergoing reexamination. New techniques to supplement basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation continue to be evaluated, but so far survival outcomes are not significantly different from the standard technique introduced over 30 years ago. Finally, debate continues on the efficacy of ribavirin in the treatment of otherwise well infants mechanically ventilated for respiratory syncytial virus infection.