Current opinion in critical care
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Curr Opin Crit Care · Aug 2013
ReviewReappraising Starling: the physiology of the microcirculation.
Vascular permeability is traditionally explained by Starling's principle, describing two opposing forces across the endothelial cell line to maintain compartments in balance. Several contradictions to this principle have recently questioned its validity. ⋯ Starling's principle requires an adaptation to recognize that there is no inward-directed oncotic pressure gradient across the whole anatomical vessel wall. The carrier of vascular barrier competence is the intact endothelial surface layer which might be protected by avoiding intravascular hypervolaemia and limiting inflammation.
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Resuscitation with hydroxyethyl starch (HES) is controversial. In this review, we will present the current evidence for the use of HES solutions including data from recent high-quality randomized clinical trials. ⋯ There is no evidence for an overall beneficial effect of HES in any subgroup of critically ill patients, but there are clear signs of harm. As safer alternatives exist, we recommend that HES is no longer used in critically ill patients.
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The review is focused on the challenge of managing airway and ventilation in the intraoperative and postoperative period. ⋯ The combination of planning extubation of predicted and unpredicted difficult airway, both intraoperative low tidal volume and low FiO2 with LRM and PEEP at different points of surgery and postoperative noninvasive ventilation should be considered in patients undergoing surgery to decrease the rate of postoperative pulmonary complications and major fatal complications such as brain damage and death.
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This review examines the long-term influence of postoperative complications on survival. Although it is intuitive that complications after surgery worsen short-term outcomes, it is not clear to what extent and why a longer-term relationship may exist. ⋯ Patients that develop postoperative complications and survive the immediate risk period, demonstrate worsened long-term mortality. The field of perioperative medicine is increasingly mandated to identify vulnerable individuals, develop and implement strategies to prevent and treat complications, and provide better care pathways after hospital discharge.
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There is significant controversy for perioperative fluid management. This review discusses the evidence from clinical studies, basic research, and systematic reviews to provide a summary of the current best practice in this area. ⋯ Although potentially life-saving, evidence points to significant hazards associated with various types and use-strategies for intravenous fluids. Like other drugs, intravenous fluids should be used with caution for specific indications, in specific amounts, and with careful attention to potential adverse effects associated with various products. An individualized approach to perioperative fluid therapy is recommended.