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The Briefing · Emergency & Critical Care

Continuous newsroom coverage of evidence in Emergency & Critical Care — newest first.

This week

24 stories
  1. Ibrutinib Response in WM Linked to Clonal Evolution, T-Cell Dynamics
    Blood ·Cohort Study · May 17, 2026

    Ibrutinib Response in WM Linked to Clonal Evolution, T-Cell Dynamics

    A single-cell analysis reveals distinct tumor evolution patterns and immune cell changes predicting ibrutinib outcomes in Waldenström macroglobulinemi

  2. Cluster Headache Prevalence Rises as Female Incidence Surpasses Males in Norway
    Neurology ·Cohort Study · May 17, 2026

    Cluster Headache Prevalence Rises as Female Incidence Surpasses Males in Norway

    A 14-year registry study shows the historical male predominance in cluster headache is vanishing as female incidence rates climb.

  3. Anti-C5a Antibody STSA-1002 Shows Favorable Safety, Reduced Mortality in ARDS
    CHEST Journal ·Randomized Controlled Trial · May 17, 2026

    Anti-C5a Antibody STSA-1002 Shows Favorable Safety, Reduced Mortality in ARDS

    A phase 1b/2 trial indicates STSA-1002 is well tolerated and associated with lower 28-day mortality in viral pneumonia-induced ARDS.

  4. Younger Age, Autoimmune Disease Linked to Recurrent, Bilateral Facial Palsy
    Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery ·Cohort Study · May 17, 2026

    Younger Age, Autoimmune Disease Linked to Recurrent, Bilateral Facial Palsy

    A retrospective study identifies specific risk factors for recurrent and bilateral facial palsy in Bell's Palsy and Ramsay Hunt Syndrome patients.

  5. ACEP launches 2025 clinical policy for Endotracheal Intubation in the Emergency Department
    ACEP ·Clinical Guideline · May 17, 2026

    ACEP launches 2025 clinical policy for Endotracheal Intubation in the Emergency Department

    The new guideline prioritizes physiologic optimization, recommending noninvasive ventilation for preoxygenation and specific induction agents.

  6. EUSEM launches 2025 guideline for Acute Pain Management in Emergency Situations
    EUSEM ·Clinical Guideline · May 17, 2026

    EUSEM launches 2025 guideline for Acute Pain Management in Emergency Situations

    This updated guideline fundamentally shifts acute pain management in emergency settings towards multimodal, non-opioid first-line therapies.

  7. ERC and ESICM launch 2025 guideline for Post-Resuscitation Care
    ERC/ESICM ·Clinical Guideline · May 17, 2026

    ERC and ESICM launch 2025 guideline for Post-Resuscitation Care

    New guidelines emphasize comprehensive diagnostic imaging, refined temperature control, and a multimodal approach to neurological prognostication.

  8. AHA and ASA launch 2026 guideline for Acute Ischemic Stroke management
    AHA/ASA ·Clinical Guideline · May 17, 2026

    AHA and ASA launch 2026 guideline for Acute Ischemic Stroke management

    The new guideline introduces tenecteplase as an alternative to alteplase for IV thrombolysis and expands recommendations for pediatric stroke care.

  9. SCCM and ESICM launch 2026 guideline for Sepsis and Septic Shock Management
    SCCM/ESICM ·Clinical Guideline · May 17, 2026

    SCCM and ESICM launch 2026 guideline for Sepsis and Septic Shock Management

    The updated Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines emphasize earlier, more precise interventions, including new screening tool recommendations.

  10. AHA and ACC launch 2026 guideline for Acute Pulmonary Embolism in Adults
    AHA/ACC/ACCP/ACEP/CHEST/SCAI/SHM/SIR/SVM/SVN ·Clinical Guideline · May 17, 2026

    AHA and ACC launch 2026 guideline for Acute Pulmonary Embolism in Adults

    A new clinical categorization system for acute PE refines risk stratification, enabling more precise management and expanding outpatient treatment.

  11. Military Blood Supply Insufficient for Large-Scale Combat Operations
    Journal of Trauma: Injury, Infection, and Critical Care ·In Vitro Study · May 17, 2026

    Military Blood Supply Insufficient for Large-Scale Combat Operations

    Simulation reveals current Forward Resuscitative Surgical Detachment blood strategies, even with walking blood banks, fail rapidly under high casualty

  12. Favipiravir Safe, Well-Tolerated for Mild-to-Moderate Lassa Fever
    Nature Medicine ·Randomized Controlled Trial · May 17, 2026

    Favipiravir Safe, Well-Tolerated for Mild-to-Moderate Lassa Fever

    A phase 2 trial in Nigeria provides pharmacokinetic data and supports favipiravir as an alternative to ribavirin for Lassa fever.

  13. Cameroon Football Reveals Gaps in Cardiac Screening, Emergency Preparedness
    British Journal of Sports Medicine ·Cross-Sectional Study · May 17, 2026

    Cameroon Football Reveals Gaps in Cardiac Screening, Emergency Preparedness

    A cross-sectional study highlights critical deficiencies in cardiovascular screening and sudden cardiac arrest response among football teams in Camero

  14. ED Nudge Strategy Increases Naltrexone Prescribing for Alcohol Misuse
    Annals of emergency medicine ·Non-Randomized Controlled Trial · May 17, 2026

    ED Nudge Strategy Increases Naltrexone Prescribing for Alcohol Misuse

    A multicomponent emergency department protocol significantly raised naltrexone initiation for patients with alcohol-related diagnoses.

  15. Demographics Influence Etiology in 2,052 Patients With Late-Onset Seizures
    Neurology ·Cohort Study · May 17, 2026

    Demographics Influence Etiology in 2,052 Patients With Late-Onset Seizures

    A multicenter study finds that while stroke remains common, neurodegeneration and unexplained causes dominate the geriatric epilepsy profile.

  16. Intravenous Magnesium Sulfate Reduces Rescue Analgesia for Acute Headache
    Annals of emergency medicine ·Randomized Controlled Trial · May 16, 2026

    Intravenous Magnesium Sulfate Reduces Rescue Analgesia for Acute Headache

    A randomized trial finds adjunctive magnesium sulfate increases treatment success and patient satisfaction, despite pain reduction not meeting clinica

  17. Thrombectomy Improves Functional Independence in Medium-Vessel Occlusion Stroke
    New England Journal of Medicine ·Randomized Controlled Trial · May 16, 2026

    Thrombectomy Improves Functional Independence in Medium-Vessel Occlusion Stroke

    A randomized trial shows endovascular thrombectomy increases functional independence but also raises symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage risk in mediu

  18. SSPOP Mutations Linked to Pediatric Epilepsy and Developmental Disorders
    Brain ·Preclinical Study · May 16, 2026

    SSPOP Mutations Linked to Pediatric Epilepsy and Developmental Disorders

    Researchers identify pathogenic variants in a supposed pseudogene, expanding the diagnostic landscape for unexplained neurodevelopmental delay.

  19. NPM1-Mutated AML: Nuclear Condensates Drive HOX/MEIS1 Expression, Inform Menin Inhibitor Action
    Blood ·In Vitro Study · May 16, 2026

    NPM1-Mutated AML: Nuclear Condensates Drive HOX/MEIS1 Expression, Inform Menin Inhibitor Action

    New research clarifies how mutant NPM1 forms nuclear condensates, sustaining oncogenic transcription and explaining menin inhibitor efficacy.

  20. Specific Patient Profiles Face Up to 30% Risk of Severe Asthma Progression
    American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine ·Cohort Study · May 16, 2026

    Specific Patient Profiles Face Up to 30% Risk of Severe Asthma Progression

    A large Danish cohort study identifies key risk factors and patient characteristics associated with progression from mild-to-moderate to severe asthma

  21. Bupivacaine-Dexamethasone TAP Blocks Reduce LOS, Opioid Use in DIEP Flap Patients
    Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery ·Cohort Study · May 16, 2026

    Bupivacaine-Dexamethasone TAP Blocks Reduce LOS, Opioid Use in DIEP Flap Patients

    A retrospective study suggests bupivacaine with dexamethasone improves early pain control and shortens hospital stay after DIEP flap breast reconstruc

  22. ICU Caregiver Financial Strain Linked to Psychological Distress, Medical Mistrust
    Critical Care Medicine ·Cross-Sectional Study · May 16, 2026

    ICU Caregiver Financial Strain Linked to Psychological Distress, Medical Mistrust

    A study of 97 ICU caregivers found that over 60% reported difficulty paying for care, correlating with increased anxiety, depression, PTSD, and decisi

  23. Ensitrelvir Reduces COVID-19 Incidence by 6.1% in Household Contacts
    New England Journal of Medicine ·Randomized Controlled Trial · May 16, 2026

    Ensitrelvir Reduces COVID-19 Incidence by 6.1% in Household Contacts

    An oral SARS-CoV-2 3C-like protease inhibitor significantly lowers infection rates when given as postexposure prophylaxis.

  24. Daratumumab-VCd Improves Survival, Organ Function in AL Amyloidosis
    Blood ·Randomized Controlled Trial · May 16, 2026

    Daratumumab-VCd Improves Survival, Organ Function in AL Amyloidosis

    Final ANDROMEDA analysis confirms sustained benefits of D-VCd for newly diagnosed light-chain amyloidosis, including overall survival.