Anaesthesiology intensive therapy
-
Anaesthesiol Intensive Ther · Jan 2015
ReviewIntra-abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome in pancreatitis, paediatrics, and trauma.
Intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) is an important contributor to early organ dysfunction among patients with trauma and sepsis. However, the impact of increased intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) among pediatric, pregnant, non-septic medical patients, and those with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), obesity, and burns has been studied less extensively. The aim of this review is to outline the pathophysiologic implications and treatment options for IAH and abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) for the above patient populations. ⋯ Patients at risk for IAH should be identified early during their treatment (with a low threshold to initiate IAP monitoring). Appropriate actions should be taken when IAP increases above 20 mm Hg, especially in patients developing difficulty with ventilation. Although on-operative measures should be instituted first, one should not hesitate to resort to surgical decompression if they fail.
-
Anaesthesiol Intensive Ther · Jan 2015
ReviewCommon pitfalls and tips and tricks to get the most out of your transpulmonary thermodilution device: results of a survey and state-of-the-art review.
Haemodynamic monitoring with transpulmonary thermodilution (TPTD) is less invasive than a pulmonary artery catheter, and is increasingly used in the Intensive Care Unit and the Operating Room. Optimal treatment of the critically ill patient demands adequate, precise and continuous monitoring of clinical parameters. Little is known about staff knowledge of the basic principles and practical implementation of TPTD measurements at the bedside. The aims of this review are to: 1) present the results of a survey on the knowledge of TPTD measurement among 252 nurses and doctors; and 2) to focus on specific situations and common pitfalls in order to improve patient management in daily practice. ⋯ TPTD has gained its place in the haemodynamic monitoring field, but, as with any technique, its virtue is only fully appreciated with correct use and interpretation.
-
Anaesthesiol Intensive Ther · Jan 2015
ReviewWhat's new in medical management strategies for raised intra-abdominal pressure: evacuating intra-abdominal contents, improving abdominal wall compliance, pharmacotherapy, and continuous negative extra-abdominal pressure.
In the future, medical management may play an increasingly important role in the prevention and management of intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH). A review of different databases was used (PubMed, MEDLINE and EMBASE) with the search terms 'Intra-abdominal Pressure' (IAP), 'IAH', ' Abdominal Compartment Syndrome' (ACS), 'medical management' and 'non-surgical management'. We also reviewed all papers with the search terms 'IAH', 'IAP' and 'ACS' over the last three years, only extracting those papers which showed a novel approach in the non-surgical management of IAH and ACS. ⋯ Many treatment options are available and are often part of routine daily management in the ICU (nasogastric, rectal tube, prokinetics, enema, sedation, body position). Some of the newer treatments are very promising options in specific patient populations with raised IAP. Future studies are warranted to confirm some of these findings.
-
Anaesthesiol Intensive Ther · Jan 2015
ReviewTranspulmonary pressure monitoring during mechanical ventilation: a bench-to-bedside review.
Different ventilation strategies have been suggested in the past in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Airway pressure monitoring alone is inadequate to assure optimal ventilatory support in ARDS patients. The assessment of transpulmonary pressure (PTP) can help clinicians to tailor mechanical ventilation to the individual patient needs. ⋯ Knowledge of the real lung distending pressure, i.e. the transpulmonary pressure, has shown to be useful in both controlled and assisted mechanical ventilation. In the latter ventilator modes, Peso measurement allows one to assess a patient's respiratory effort, patient-ventilator asynchrony, intrinsic PEEP and the calculation of work of breathing. Conditions that have an impact on Peso, such as abdominal hypertension, will also be discussed briefly.