Resuscitation
-
We hypothesized that microcirculatory dysfunction, similar to that seen in sepsis, occurs in post-cardiac arrest patients and that better microcirculatory flow will be associated with improved outcome. We also assessed the association between microcirculatory dysfunction and inflammatory markers in the post-cardiac arrest state. ⋯ Microcirculatory dysfunction occurs early in post-cardiac arrest patients. Better microcirculatory function at 24h may be associated with good neurologic outcome.
-
For critical care to be effective it must have a system in place to achieve optimal care for the deteriorating ward patient. ⋯ Much of the available evidence is of poor quality. It is clear that a 'whole system' approach should be adopted and that AWSS appear to be more effective than single parameter systems. The response to deterioration appears most effective when a clinician with critical care skills leads it. The need for service improvement differs between health care systems.