title: Recently published papers: therapies failed, disputed, and beneficent.
abstract: A recent meta-analysis puts another nail in the coffin of a therapy that held great promise for management of acute respiratory distress syndrome. Two papers further highlight the growing controversy surrounding the safety profile of drotrecogin alpha (activated) and increase the clamour for a new independent trial. Also covered are steroids and their role in preventing postoperative atrial fibrillation, and success in instituting hypothermia after cardiac arrest. Finally, which form of renal replacement therapy should we be using in the intensive care unit?
authors.affiliation: University Hospitals of Leicester, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, LE1 5WW, UK. gareth.williams@uhl-tr.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Gareth
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends*; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007036:Hypothermia, Induced / Q000379:methods; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011486:Protein C / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000379:methods; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000628:therapy; D013256:Steroids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D011486:Protein C; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013256:Steroids; D009569:Nitric Oxide; C421124:drotrecogin alfa activated