Critical care medicine
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Critical care medicine · Sep 2024
Editorial Comment LetterThe Ideal Mean Arterial Pressure Target Debate: Heterogeneity Obscures Conclusions.
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Critical care medicine · Sep 2024
Meta AnalysisLow Versus High Blood Pressure Targets in Critically Ill and Surgical Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
Hypotension is associated with adverse outcomes in critically ill and perioperative patients. However, these assumptions are supported by observational studies. This meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials aims to compare the impact of lower versus higher blood pressure targets on mortality. ⋯ Based on pooled randomized trial evidence, a lower compared with a higher blood pressure target results in a reduction of mortality, atrial fibrillation, and transfusion requirements. Lower blood pressure targets may be beneficial but there is ongoing uncertainty. However, the present meta-analysis does not confirm previous findings and recommendations. These results might inform future guidelines and promote the study of the concept of protective hemodynamics.
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Critical care medicine · Sep 2024
Observational StudyCardiopulmonary Resuscitation Without Aortic Valve Compression Increases the Chances of Return of Spontaneous Circulation in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study.
Following current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) guidelines, which recommend chest compressions at "the center of the chest," ~50% of patients experiencing out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) undergo aortic valve (AV) compression, obstructing blood flow. We used resuscitative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) to elucidate the impact of uncompressed vs. compressed AV on outcomes of adult patients experiencing OHCA. ⋯ Absence of AV compression during OHCA resuscitation is associated with an increased chance of ROSC and survival to ICU. However, its effect on long-term outcomes remains unclear.