Critical care clinics
-
Because of the close relationship between the esophagus and the aorta, multiplane transesophageal echocardiography provides an excellent way to view the thoracic aorta. In this article, clinical features of aortic aneurysm, trauma, and aortic dissection are described, as is the potential use of transesophageal echocardiography in the assessment of these entities.
-
Gastric tonometry is gaining acceptance rapidly as a noninvasive method of monitoring tissue dysoxia in a key organ system that previously could not be assessed easily. In addition to being noninvasive, gastric tonometry also identifies dysoxia in shock sooner than currently available monitors. This allows for more timely intervention with a subsequent improvement in prognosis in defined groups of patients. Tonometry data that suggest continued dysoxia despite intervention should signal clinicians to seek alternative diagnoses or to question the efficacy of current therapies, including antibiotics.
-
The hypermetabolic state in critically ill patients is characterized by wasting of lean body mass and immunosuppression. The gut is among the most metabolically active organs. Failure to maintain gut function by way of early enteral nutrition can lead to increased infectious complications. Early enteral nutrition improves outcomes and may maintain muscle mass by blunting the cytokine-mediated hypermetabolic response.
-
This article discusses the advantages of pulmonary artery catheters, with emphasis on the Swan-Ganz catheter. Various studies and published reports confirming the efficacy of pulmonary artery catheter use are reviewed. In the author's opinion, it is evident that the Swan-Ganz catheter has withstood the test of time and scrutiny.
-
Critical care clinics · Jul 1996
ReviewHigh-inflation pressure and positive end-expiratory pressure. Injurious to the lung? Yes.
There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that high levels of inflation pressure and high levels of PEEP may be injurious to lung tissue and other organ systems. Limiting peak alveolar pressures below 35 cm H2O may help in avoiding these injuries. The findings have led to the development of a lung-protective strategy that is based on physiologic parameters. ⋯ Usually a PEEP of 8 to 12 cm H2O is sufficient. Although we usually initiate mechanical ventilation with a volume-cycled mode, we are not hesitant to switch rapidly to a pressure-limited mode if results are unsatisfactory. We believe that more attention to the potential harmful effects of pressure and volume on lung architecture may result in further improvement of survival in patients with acute respiratory failure.