Current opinion in critical care
-
Curr Opin Crit Care · Jun 2022
ReviewExtracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest - who, when, and where?
Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) is an invasive and resource-intensive therapy used to care for patients with refractory cardiac arrest. In this review, we highlight considerations for the establishment of an ECPR system of care for patients suffering refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). ⋯ To be consistently successful, ECPR must be a part of a comprehensive OHCA system of care that optimizes all phases of cardiac arrest management. Future investigation is needed for the knowledge gaps that remain.
-
Curr Opin Crit Care · Jun 2022
ReviewElectrical impedance tomography in the adult intensive care unit: clinical applications and future directions.
Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a novel, noninvasive, radiation-free, bedside imaging and monitoring tool to assess and visualize regional distribution of lung ventilation and perfusion. Although primarily a research tool, rapidly emerging data are beginning to define its clinical role, and it is poised to become a ubiquitous addition to the arsenal of the intensive care unit (ICU). In this review, we summarize the data supporting clinical use of EIT in adult ICUs, with an emphasis on appropriate application while highlighting future directions. ⋯ As EIT becomes more common and its clinical role more defined, intensivists will benefit from a clear understanding of its applications and limitations.
-
Curr Opin Crit Care · Jun 2022
ReviewThe weaning from mechanical ventilation: a comprehensive ultrasound approach.
Due to heart, lung and diaphragm interactions during weaning from mechanical ventilation, an ultrasound integrated approach may be useful in the detection of dysfunctions potentially leading to weaning failure. In this review, we will summarize the most recent advances concerning the ultrasound applications relevant to the weaning from mechanical ventilation. ⋯ The present review summarizes the potential role of ultrasonography in the weaning process. A multimodal integrated approach allows the clinician to comprehend the pathophysiological processes of weaning failure.
-
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) offers advanced mechanical support to patients with severe acute respiratory and/or cardiac failure. Ensuring an adequate therapeutic approach as well as prevention of ECMO-associated complications, by means of timely liberation, forms an essential part of standard ECMO care and is only achievable through continuous monitoring and evaluation. This review focus on the cardiorespiratory monitoring tools that can be used to assess and titrate adequacy of ECMO therapy; as well as methods to assess readiness to wean and/or discontinue ECMO support. ⋯ Novel applications of existing monitoring modalities alongside evolving technological advances enable the advanced monitoring required for safe delivery of ECMO. Liberation trials are necessary to minimize time sensitive ECMO related complications; however, these have yet to be standardized.
-
The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the cardiovascular system has been highlighted since the very first weeks after the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 identification. We reviewed the influence of COVID-19 pandemic on cardiac arrest, both considering those occurred out of the hospital (OHCA) and in the hospital (IHCA). ⋯ Cardiac arrest occurrence and survival were deeply affected by the pandemic. Informative campaigns to the population to call EMS in case of need and the re-allocation of the prehospital resources basing on the pandemic trend are needed to improve survival.