Current opinion in critical care
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Curr Opin Crit Care · Aug 2019
ReviewAn overview of international cardiogenic shock guidelines and application in clinical practice.
In this review, we compare central differences in cardiogenic shock recommendations in international clinical practice guidelines, scientific statements, and the strength of the supporting evidence. Furthermore, we discuss their associations with adherence to guidelines in registry studies. ⋯ There are some inconsistencies between individual guideline recommendations, but there are no consistent associations between the strength of underlying evidence, weight of guideline recommendations, and adherence to guidelines in clinical practice. Improved knowledge translation of recommendations with a strong evidence base, together with research efforts to address priority cardiogenic shock research needs, could serve-to-harmonize recommendations and improve patient outcomes.
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Curr Opin Crit Care · Aug 2019
ReviewVenoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in cardiogenic shock: indications, mode of operation, and current evidence.
Temporary circulatory support (TCS) with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is increasingly used as a salvage therapy for patients with refractory cardiogenic shock. This article provides an overview of VA-ECMO principles, indications, management, complications, and discusses the results of recent case series and trials. ⋯ TCS have become the cornerstone of the management of patients with cardiogenic shock, although the evidence supporting their efficacy is limited. VA-ECMO is considered the first-line option, with a growing number of accepted and emerging indications. Randomized clinical trials are now needed to determine the place VA-ECMO in cardiogenic shock treatment strategies.
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Adequate tissue perfusion is of utmost importance to avoid organ failure in patients with cardiogenic shock. Within the recent years, the microcirculation, defined as the perfusion of the smallest vessels, has been identified to play a crucial role. Microcirculatory changes may include capillary flow disturbances as well as changes in the density of perfused vessels. Due to the availability of new technologies to assess the microcirculation, interesting new data came up and it is the purpose of this review to summarize recent studies in the field. ⋯ The parameter most frequently used to detect tissue malperfusion is serum lactate. Novel, noninvasive methods to quantify microvascular perfusion have the potential to guide treatment in terms of optimizing organ perfusion and oxygenation probably paving the way for an individualized therapy.
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Curr Opin Crit Care · Aug 2019
ReviewLactate and other biomarkers as treatment target in cardiogenic shock.
Cardiogenic shock remains beside sudden cardiac death the most outcome relevant complication of acute myocardial infarction. Over the last two decades as confirmation of the benefit of early revascularization no further relevant improvement in outcome could be achieved. Biomarkers are important for diagnosis, monitoring, and management in cardiogenic shock patients. ⋯ Biomarkers serve as important treatment targets and may help physicians in therapeutic decision-making. Furthermore, the complex pathophysiology of cardiogenic shock may be better understood by investigation of different biomarkers.
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Glutamine (GLN) is a versatile amino acid, long believed to have important implications in ICU and surgical patients. An extensive body of data examining GLN supplementation of TPN demonstrated a consistent signal of improved outcomes. However, recently signals of risk have come from two large-scale multicenter trials evaluating GLN (and other nutrients) at high dose and as primary pharmaconutrients, not as supplementation to complete nutrition. These trials indicate a risk of increased mortality when GLN is given to patients in shock, renal failure, and early in acute phase of critical care. ⋯ Three recent meta-analyses have confirmed traditional GLN-supplemented (or 'GLN-Complemented' - providing GLN for completeness of amino acid content) TPN is safe, reduces mortality and improves outcome in surgical and ICU patients. Patients in need of TPN, burns, trauma or malignancies should continue to benefit from supplemental GLN, administered either intravenously at less than 0.35 g/kg/day or enterally at less than 0.5 g/kg/day. Further, a large trial of EN GLN supplementation in burns is ongoing. Thus, when used per guideline recommendations, the GLN story is likely still relevant to ICU outcomes and research.