Minerva anestesiologica
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Oxygenation maintenance is the cornerstone of airway management in the obese patient related to anatomic and pathophysiologic issues. Difficult mask ventilation (DMV) risk is increased in obese patients according recognized predictors (Body Mass Index [BMI]>26 kg/m2, age >55 years, jaw protrusion severely limited, lack of teeth, snoring, beard, Mallampati class III or IV) and should systematically search. Difficult tracheal intubation (DTI) risk may be increased and risk should be assessed in a careful manner. ⋯ In unexpected difficult airway, the very first priority is oxygenation and a predefined strategy has to be implemented with oxygenation devices first (supraglottic devices or ILMA). Lastly, the final step of the obese airway management is tracheal extubation and recovery. A strategy with a fully awake patient, without residual paralysis, and a 25° head-up position is mandatory.
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Minerva anestesiologica · Mar 2014
Observational StudyValidation of cardiac output studies from the Mostcare compared to a pulmonary artery catheter in septic patients.
The Mostcare monitor is a non-invasive cardiac output monitor. It has been well validated in cardiac surgical patients but there is limited evidence on its use in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock. ⋯ Compared to thermodilution cardiac output, cardiac output studies obtained from the Mostcare monitor have an unacceptably high error rate. The Mostcare monitor demonstrated to be an unreliable monitoring device to measure cardiac output in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock on an intensive care unit.