Current opinion in critical care
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Curr Opin Crit Care · Jun 2018
ReviewAntiarrhythmic drug therapy during cardiopulmonary resuscitation: should we use it?
The optimal antiarrhythmic drug therapy (amiodarone or lidocaine) in the treatment of ventricular fibrillation/pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VF/pVT) cardiac arrest that is refractory to defibrillation is uncertain. This article reviews the evidence for and against these drugs, alternatives treatments for refractory VF/pVT and aims to define the role of antiarrhythmic drugs during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). ⋯ The benefit of antiarrhythmic drugs appears to be for those patients in whom initial early CPR and defibrillation attempts fail and the antiarrhythmic drug is given early. There does not appear to be any clear survival benefit for any one particular drug and other factors such as availability and cost should be considered when deciding which drug to use. Furthermore, other interventions (e.g. percutaneous coronary intervention and extra-corporeal CPR) may provide additional survival benefit when defibrillation attempts and antiarrhythmic drugs are not effective.
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The current review attempts to demonstrate the value of several forms of carbon dioxide (CO2) gaps in resuscitation of the critically ill patient as monitor for the adequacy of the circulation, as target for fluid resuscitation and also as predictor for outcome. ⋯ CO2 gap is a sensitive marker of tissue hypoperfusion, with added value over traditional markers of tissue hypoxia in situations in which an oxygen diffusion barrier exists such as in tissue oedema and impaired microcirculation. Venous-to-arterial cCO2 or partial pressure gaps can be used to evaluate whether attempts to increase CO should be made. Considering the potential of the several forms of CO2 measurements and its ease of use via point-of-care analysers, it is recommendable to implement CO2 gaps in standard clinical practice.
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Curr Opin Crit Care · Jun 2018
Review Comparative StudyCardiac output monitoring: how to choose the optimal method for the individual patient.
To review the different methods available for the assessment of cardiac output (CO) and describe their specific indications in intensive care and perioperative medicine. ⋯ Various invasive, minimally invasive, and noninvasive methods to assess CO are available. A profound understanding of the different CO monitoring methods is key to define indications for CO monitoring in the individual critically ill or surgical patient.
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Cardiac arrest mortality remains high, and the impact on outcome of most advanced life support interventions is unclear. The optimal method for managing the airway during cardiac arrest remains unknown. This review will summarize and critique recently published evidence comparing basic airway management with the use of more advanced airway interventions [insertion of supraglottic airway (SGA) devices and tracheal intubation]. ⋯ Most of the available evidence about airway management during cardiac arrest comes from observational studies. The best option for airway management is likely to be different for different rescuers, and at different time points of the resuscitation process. Thus, it is common for a single patient to receive multiple 'stepwise' airway interventions. The only reliable way to determine the optimal airway management strategy is to undertake properly designed, prospective, randomized trials. One randomized clinical trial has been published recently and two others have completed enrollment but have yet to be published.
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Curr Opin Crit Care · Jun 2018
ReviewExtravascular lung water measurements in acute respiratory distress syndrome: why, how, and when?
Increase in pulmonary vascular permeability accompanied with accumulation of excess extravascular lung water (EVLW) is the hallmark of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Currently, EVLW and pulmonary vascular permeability index (PVPI) can be quantitatively measured using the transpulmonary thermodilution (TPTD) technique. We will clarify why, how, and when EVLW and PVPI measurements should be performed. ⋯ EVLW and PVPI measurement will open the door to future ARDS clinical practice and research, and have potential to be included in the future ARDS definition.