Medicina intensiva
-
The integration of the ventricular function is essential when making decisions over a patient subjected to cardiac electrostimulation in order to understand the structure followed in the new cardiac stimulation and resynchronising therapy guides. To support the importance of ventricular function in cardiac electrostimulation it is important to know: (i)the deleterious effect of stimulation on the right ventricle apex; (ii)the effect over the left ventricular function produced by complete blockage of the left branch, and (iii)left ventricular disfunction as arrythmogenic substrate. ⋯ A normal ventricular function will enable electrostimulation from the right ventricle apex or alternative site. On the contrary, if this value is lower than 50% the most recommended electrostimulation is cardiac resynchronisation (CRT-P), which will be accompanied by defibrillation (CRT-D) if FEVI is lower than 35%.
-
The use of propranolol has been proposed to reduce the hypermetabolic response of patients with burn injuries. ⋯ Propranolol reduces the hypermetabolic response in pediatric burn patients. More studies on its effects in adult burn patients are needed.
-
The benefit of enteral nutrition in critically ill patients has been demonstrated by several studies, especially when it is started early, in the first 24-48h of stay in the Intensive Care Unit, and this practice is currently advised by the main clinical guidelines. The start of enteral nutrition is controversial in patients with hemodynamic failure, since it may trigger intestinal ischemia. However, there are data from experimental studies in animals, as well as from observational studies in humans that allow for hypotheses regarding its beneficial effect and safety. Interventional clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings.
-
The main goal of exhaustively monitoring neurocritical patients is to avoid secondary injury. In the last few years we have witnessed an increase in brain monitoring tools, beyond the checking of intracranial and brain perfusion pressures. ⋯ Awareness and correction of brain hypoxia is a useful and interesting measure, not only for diagnostic purposes but also when deciding treatment, and to predict an outcome. In this context, it would be of great interest to use all the information gathered from brain oxygenation monitoring systems in conjunction with other available multimodal monitoring devices, in order to offer individualized treatment for each patient.
-
Traumatic injuries represent a major health problem all over the world. In recent years we have witnessed profound changes in the paradigm of severe trauma patient resuscitation, new concepts regarding acute coagulopathy in trauma have been proposed, and there has been an expansion of specific commercial products related to hemostasis, among other aspects. New strategies in severe trauma management include the early identification of those injuries that are life threatening and require surgical hemostasis, tolerance of moderate hypotension, rational intravascular volume replacement, prevention of hypothermia, correction of acidosis, optimization of oxygen carriers, and identification of those factors required by the patient (fresh frozen plasma, platelets, tranexamic acid, fibrinogen, cryoprecipitates and prothrombin complex). However, despite such advances, further evidence is required to improve survival rates in severe trauma patients.