Major publications in the critical care pharmacotherapy literature: 2024

To summarize, analyze, and provide clinical insights on the most impactful publications related to critical care pharmacotherapy in 2024.

A systematic search of PubMed/Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE) was conducted between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024. Randomized controlled trials, prospective study designs, or retrospective study designs with high-quality methodology of adult critically ill patients assessing a pharmacotherapeutic intervention and reporting clinical endpoints were considered for inclusion. An a priori defined three-round modified Delphi process was performed to achieve consensus from a multi-disciplinary and geographically diverse group of critical care clinicians, focusing on the publications deemed most impactful based on their overall contribution to scientific knowledge and novelty.

The systematic search yielded a total of 1533 articles, of which 1492 were excluded. Forty-one articles were included in the modified Delphi process. In each round, articles were independently scored based on their overall contribution to scientific knowledge and novelty and articles achieving a score at or above the median proceeded to the next round of voting. The six included articles are summarized and their impact is discussed. Article topics included cessation of proton pump inhibitors during transitions of care, stress ulcer prophylaxis in mechanically ventilated patients, continuous infusion beta-lactams in sepsis, ceftriaxone for prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia, optimal antibiotic duration for bloodstream infections, and andexanet alfa for management of intracranial hemorrhage associated with factor Xa inhibitors.

This review identified, summarized, and evaluated high impact studies relevant to critical care pharmacotherapy published in 2024.