Intensive care medicine
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Intensive care medicine · May 1998
Comparative StudyTransesophageal echocardiography for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism with acute cor pulmonale: a comparison with radiological procedures.
The goal of the study was to assess prospectively the value of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for the diagnosis of massive pulmonary embolism complicated by acute cor pulmonale. ⋯ In comparison with radiological procedures, TEE had limited accuracy for detecting pulmonary embolism with acute cor pulmonale. When the pulmonary embolism was located in the main or right pulmonary artery, TEE could clarify the diagnosis within a few minutes without further invasive diagnostic procedures. However, a negative TEE did not exclude left proximal or lobar pulmonary embolism.
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Intensive care medicine · May 1998
Comparative StudyEffects of fenoldopam on systemic and splanchnic haemodynamics and oxygen delivery/consumption relationship during hyperdynamic ovine endotoxaemia.
To evaluate the use of a selective dopamine-1 agonist (fenoldopam) to provide selective splanchnic vasodilatation during sustained hypotensive endotoxaemia in sheep. ⋯ During sustained hyperdynamic endotoxaemia, the dopaminergic-induced selective increase in coeliac trunk blood flow is abolished, most probably because of an already maximally vasodilated splanchnic circulation which prevented dopamine or fenoldopam to vasodilate this area further. Contrary to common belief, selective dopamine-1 agonist administration under these conditions may therefore not be beneficial to the splanchnic organs, though it improves whole body DO2 and VO2.