Critically ill burn patients pose several unique challenges to care providers. The concepts of fluid resuscitation, nutritional management, organ support and wound care are rapidly evolving. There is a pressing need to review emerging evidence and incorporate these into practice for the effective management of burn patients. We have searched the PubMed and Google Scholar databases to review the current evidence on the acute care management of adult as well as paediatric burn patients. The rationales for current practices have been integrated into the review. The management of critically ill burn patients requires an in-depth knowledge of the pathophysiology of burn injury, a tailored approach for timely resuscitation, timely diagnosis of organ specific problems, and comprehensive wound care. This review will help the doctors and healthcare providers involved in the management of critical burn patients in their day-to-day practice.

Persistent tachycardia in patients with septic shock predicts poor outcome. This study sought to investigate the effect of the cardiac pacemaker current inhibitor ivabradine on heart rate and cardio-circulatory function in patients with septic shock. After informed consent, 60 patients with septic shock and persistent tachycardia (heart rate >95 /minute) were prospectively randomly assigned to receive either standard therapy for septic shock (group S) or standard therapy along with enteral ivabradine (group I) for the initial 96 hours after enrolment. Primary outcome was the difference in heart rate between the two groups during the first 96 hours. Secondary outcomes included the effect of ivabradine on haemodynamic, oxygenation, myocardial function and organ function parameters, incidence of adverse events and 30-day overall survival. Heart rate was lower in group I compared to group S (median difference in area under the curve –25.6 (95% confidence intervals –31.4 to –15.9) /minute; P <0.001). Vasopressor requirements, blood lactate levels, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores and E/e′ ratio were lower in group I compared to group S. Stroke volume index and ejection fraction were higher in group I while cardiac index and oxygen delivery parameters were maintained similar to group S. There was no difference in 30-day mortality or in the incidence of serious adverse events. Enteral ivabradine is effective in reducing heart rate, and improving haemodynamic parameters and cardiac function in patients with septic shock and persistent tachycardia, without increasing the incidence of adverse events.

Summary: Background: Although sevoflurane is preferred for inhalational induction in children, financial and environmental costs remain major limitations. The aim of this study was to determine if the use of low‐fresh gas flow during inhalational induction with sevoflurane could significantly reduce agent consumption, without adversely affecting induction conditions.Methods: After institutional ethical committee approval, 50 children, aged 1‐5 years, undergoing ophthalmic procedures under general anesthesia, were randomized into two groups—standard induction (Group S) and low‐flow induction (Group L). A pediatric circle system with 1 L reservoir bag was primed with 8% sevoflurane in oxygen at 6 L min⁻¹ for 30 seconds before beginning induction. In Group S, fresh gas flow was maintained at 6 L min⁻¹ until the end of induction. In Group L, fresh gas flow was reduced to 1 L min⁻¹ after applying facemask (time = T0). In both groups, sevoflurane was reduced to 5% after loss of eyelash reflex (T1). Once adequate depth of anesthesia was achieved (regular respiration, loss of muscle tone, and absence of movement to trapezius squeeze), intravenous access was secured (T2), followed by insertion of an appropriately sized LMA‐Classic™ (T3). Heart rate and endtidal sevoflurane concentration were measured at each of the above time points, and at 15 seconds following laryngeal mask airway insertion (T4). The total amount of sevoflurane consumed during induction was recorded.Results: Sevoflurane consumption was significantly lower in Group L (4.17 ± 0.70 mL) compared to Group S (8.96 ± 1.11 mL) (mean difference 4.79 [95% CI = 4.25‐5.33] mL; P < 0.001). Time to successful laryngeal mask airway insertion was similar in both groups. There were no significant differences in heart rate, incidence of reflex tachycardia, or need for rescue propofol.Conclusion: Induction of anesthesia with sevoflurane using low‐fresh gas flow is effective in reducing sevoflurane consumption, without compromising induction time and conditions.

The question of whether glucose supplementation is required in children during surgery is still under debate. The impact of perioperative glucose supplementation, or its restriction, on their metabolism remains unclear. We discuss the findings of various studies that have addressed this question and the rationale for current recommendations.