Intensive care update: seven studies that should change your practice

Seven recent studies in intensive care found that: *The need for intravenous sedation should continually be reassessed * Low-dose dopamine does not offer significant renal protection * Higher doses of continuous venovenous hemofiltration may improve survival * Subclavian central venous catheterization is associated with fewer complications than the femoral route * We have little evidence to support the use of ranitidine and sucralfate as prophylaxis for stress ulcers * Many young patients with suspected bacterial meningitis can undergo lumbar puncture without a CT scan if they have no abnormalities on a quick history and physical examination * Intensive insulin therapy to control blood glucose lowers the mortality rate.