Critical care : the official journal of the Critical Care Forum
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Central venous O₂ saturation and venous-to-arterial CO₂ difference as complementary tools for goal-directed therapy during high-risk surgery.
Central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2) is a useful therapeutic target in septic shock and high-risk surgery. We tested the hypothesis that central venous-to-arterial carbon dioxide difference (P(cv-a)CO2), a global index of tissue perfusion, could be used as a complementary tool to ScvO2 for goal-directed fluid therapy (GDT) to identify persistent low flow after optimization of preload has been achieved by fluid loading during high-risk surgery. ⋯ ScvO2 reflects important changes in O2 delivery in relation to O2 needs during the perioperative period. A P(cv-a)CO2 < 5 mmHg might serve as a complementary target to ScvO2 during GDT to identify persistent inadequacy of the circulatory response in face of metabolic requirements when an ScvO2 ≥ 71% is achieved.
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Comparative Study
Delirium as a predictor of sepsis in post-coronary artery bypass grafting patients: a retrospective cohort study.
Delirium is the most common neurological complication following cardiac surgery. Much research has focused on potential causes of delirium; however, the sequelae of delirium have not been well investigated. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between delirium and sepsis post coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and to determine if delirium is a predictor of sepsis. ⋯ These data demonstrate an association between delirium and post-operative sepsis in the CABG population. Delirium emerged as an independent predictor of sepsis, along with traditional risk factors including age, pre-operative renal failure and peripheral vascular disease. Given the advancing age and increasing rates of delirium in the CABG population, the prevention and management of delirium need to be addressed.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Levosimendan for resuscitating the microcirculation in patients with septic shock: a randomized controlled study.
The purpose of the present study was to investigate microcirculatory blood flow in patients with septic shock treated with levosimendan as compared to an active comparator drug (i.e. dobutamine). The primary end point was a difference of ≥ 20% in the microvascular flow index of small vessels (MFIs) among groups. ⋯ Compared to a standard dose of 5 μg·kg(-1)·min(-1) of dobutamine, levosimendan at 0.2 μg·kg(-1)·min(-1) improved sublingual microcirculatory blood flow in patients with septic shock, as reflected by changes in microcirculatory flow indices of small and medium vessels.
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The present review of fluid therapy studies using balanced solutions versus isotonic saline fluids (both crystalloids and colloids) aims to address recent controversy in this topic. The change to the acid-base equilibrium based on fluid selection is described. Key terms such as dilutional-hyperchloraemic acidosis (correctly used instead of dilutional acidosis or hyperchloraemic metabolic acidosis to account for both the Henderson-Hasselbalch and Stewart equations), isotonic saline and balanced solutions are defined. ⋯ Its effect is moderate and relatively transient, and is minimised by limiting crystalloid administration through the use of colloids (in any carrier). Convincing evidence for clinically relevant adverse effects of dilutional-hyperchloraemic acidosis on renal function, coagulation, blood loss, the need for transfusion, gastrointestinal function or mortality cannot be found. In view of the long-term use of isotonic saline either as a crystalloid or as a colloid carrier, the paucity of data documenting detrimental effects of dilutional-hyperchloraemic acidosis and the limited published information on the effects of balanced solutions on outcome, we cannot currently recommend changing fluid therapy to the use of a balanced colloid preparation.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Recombinant human activated protein C attenuates cardiovascular and microcirculatory dysfunction in acute lung injury and septic shock.
This prospective, randomized, controlled, experimental animal study looks at the effects of recombinant human activated protein C (rhAPC) on global hemodynamics and microcirculation in ovine acute lung injury (ALI) and septic shock, resulting from smoke inhalation injury. ⋯ We conclude that rhAPC stabilized cardiovascular functions and attenuated the changes in visceral and cerebral microcirculation in sheep suffering from ALI and septic shock by reduction of cardiac MDA and 3-nitrotyrosine.