Recently published papers: changing practices in the modern intensive care unit

One always reviews the journals in January with some trepidation. Wading through the instructions for authors (a problem not encountered with the electronic press!), one is worried that the scientific literature may need resuscitating from the post-holiday somnolence. Fortunately, 2003 has been greeted with a fanfare of important papers in the critical care press, not least in the shape of some well conducted observational studies. Those involved in the intensive care arena often find themselves making difficult decisions, including that of cessation of therapy or, indeed, whether to admit a particular patient to the intensive care unit (ICU). The latter dilemma often causes much debate between clinicians. Two studies were published in Critical Care Medicine that may help in determining patient selection.