Medicina intensiva
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Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) must be attempted if indicated, not done if it is not indicated or if the patient does not accept or has previously rejected it and withdrawn it if it is ineffective. If CPR is considered futile, a Do-Not-Resuscitate Order (DNR) will be recorded. This should be made known to all physicians and nurses involved in patient care. ⋯ After limitation of vital support, certain type of non-heart-beating-organ donation can be proposed. In order to acquire CPR skills, it is necessary to practice with simulators and, sometimes, with recently deceased, always with the consent of the family. Research on CPR is essential and must be conducted according to ethical rules and legal frameworks.
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An effective tissue perfusion has decisive influence on the final prognosis both during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and after recovery of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). The transcranial Doppler ultranosography (TCD) examines the velocity and pulsatility of cerebral blood flow, making it possible to perform "beat to beat" hemodynamic analysis. ⋯ Early or delayed presence of a hyperemic TCD pattern (high velocities with low pulsatilities) is associated conclusively with evolution to intracranial hypertension and its appearance during the rewarming process should lead to immediate return to therapeutic hypothermia. The coincidence of hypodynamic cerebral arteries and others with normal or hyperemic TCD patterns may indicate the presence of focal hypoperfusion that could predict stroke after ROSC.
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Invasive aspergillosis is a common condition in patients with hematologic malignancies. Symptoms are extremely non-specific, and therefore it is necessary to be familiar with the diagnostic tests for early diagnosis. This review has attempted to clarify the current evidence regarding the following areas: clinical presentation, methods of study and treatment of this condition in hemato-oncological critical patients.
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Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is understood as an inflammation-induced disruption of the alveolar endothelial-epithelial barrier that results in increased permeability and surfactant dysfunction followed by alveolar flooding and collapse. ARDS management relies on mechanical ventilation. The current challenge is to determine the optimal ventilatory strategies that minimize ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) while providing a reasonable gas exchange. ⋯ The rationale used for high PEEP argues that it prevents cyclic opening and closing of airspaces, probably the major culprit of development of VILI. Chest computed tomography has contributed to our understanding of anatomic-functional distribution patterns in ARDS. Electric impedance tomography is a technique that is radiation-free, but still under development, that allows dynamic monitoring of ventilation distribution at bedside.
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Severe sepsis and septic shock are conditions associated with high morbidity and mortality. The disproportionate release of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators caused by the septic insult is the promoter of multiple organ dysfunction. ⋯ In this setting, a higher dose of ultrafiltration (> 50 ml/kg/h) or "septic dose" may be needed. In this review article, we have analyzed the clinical and pathophysiological rationale for the use of high volume hemofiltration in patients with septic shock.