Critical care clinics
-
Critical care clinics · Jul 2014
ReviewHemodynamic Assessment in the Contemporary Intensive Care Unit: A Review of Circulatory Monitoring Devices.
The assessment of the circulating volume and efficiency of tissue perfusion is necessary in the management of critically ill patients. The controversy surrounding pulmonary artery catheterization has led to a new wave of minimally invasive hemodynamic monitoring technologies, including echocardiographic and Doppler imaging, pulse wave analysis, and bioimpedance. This article reviews the principles, advantages, and limitations of these technologies and the clinical contexts in which they may be clinically useful.
-
Cardiogenic shock remains a leading cause of mortality despite advances in the treatment of myocardial infarction and advanced heart failure. Medical therapy can be inadequate, and patients may need mechanical circulatory support (MCS). The proper application of MCS requires knowledge of the underlying cause of acute heart failure, familiarity with the circulatory support devices, and the potential benefits and limitations of device therapy. This article describes the most commonly used temporary ventricular assist devices and their use in the various causes of cardiogenic shock.