Emory Program in Critical Care

The Emory Program in Critical Care is the outgrowth of a long-standing interest in intensive care, which grew from our broad and diverse clinical foundation spanning multiple intensive care units (ICU’s) in the Emory-affiliated hospitals. Our research interests began with acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome – related conditions that cause severe hypoxemic respiratory failure and too often result in morbid complications, death or prolonged disability. 

From this beginning, we have broadened our interests to include various etiologic conditions that cause acute respiratory distress syndrome, such as sepsis, trauma, pneumonia and blood product transfusion. Each of these areas has subsequently intersected with other areas of research, to investigate factors that influence the outcome of sepsis or ARDS, such as chronic alcohol abuse, cancer, diabetes and HIV. 

Investigators in our group were the first to identify chronic alcohol abuse as a significant risk factor for developing ARDS and other organ dysfunction associated with sepsis, and for chronic alcohol abuse contributing to worse outcomes among critically ill patients. In addition, our group identified the association between diabetes mellitus and reduced incidence of acute respiratory distress syndrome, and we continue to investigate the clinical and biological factors that contribute to this association.

Research teams in our group were also the first to conduct large-scale assessments that characterize the epidemiology of sepsis on a longitudinal and a national basis. As part of our health services portfolio, we have also explored disparities that exist in various critical illness, such as sepsis. Investigators in our group have laid the foundation for better identification and treatment of patients with venous thromboembolic disease and ventilator associated pneumonia. In translational studies, our group has found substantial alterations in pulmonary antioxidant status that lead to altered permeability of alveolar-capillary barrier and accumulation of pulmonary edema, and thus contribute to the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome.  

Our work in these areas has spanned from simple observational studies to national epidemiologic investigations and health services research to multi-centered randomized, controlled clinical trials. 

• Epidemiology and Health Services Research in Critical Care

• Structure, Process and Outcome in Critical Care

• Fluid Management in Acute Lung Injury

• Diabetes and Acute Lung Injury

• HIV Disease, Sepsis and Lung Host Immunity

• Vitamin D in Critically Ill Patients

• Patient-Centered Outcomes in Critical Care

• Pre-Hospital Identification and Management of Sepsis

• Vitamin C for Treatment of Sepsis and ARDS

• The Intersection of Sepsis and Cancer

• Forecasting Sepsis Progression and Outcomes Using Predictive Analytics

• Stem Cells in Sepsis and Acute Lung Injury

• Venous Thromboembolic Disease

• Chronic Alcohol Abuse in Critical Care