Minerva anestesiologica
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Minerva anestesiologica · Nov 2021
Thromboprophylaxis in critically ill patients: balancing on a tightrope.
Venous thromboembolism (VTE), including deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, is a common and potentially fatal complication in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Critically ill patients have some special characteristics that increase the risk for VTE and complicate risk stratification and diagnosis. Given the positive effect of thromboprophylaxis on main outcomes, its use is mandatory in these patients, which is documented by various studies and recommended by all published guidelines. ⋯ If the patient is at high risk of bleeding or there is a contraindication to pharmacologic prophylaxis, he should receive mechanical thromboprophylaxis mainly with intermittent pneumatic compression or graduated compression stockings. Thromboprophylaxis compliance with the guidelines is a prerequisite for moving from theory to practice. Direct oral anticoagulants have been studied in ICU patients and have no place at present in VTE prophylaxis requiring further research.
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Minerva anestesiologica · Nov 2021
Observational StudySubcostal TAPSE measured by anatomical M-mode: prospective reliability clinical study in critically ill patients.
Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), evaluated from a four-chamber apical view, is an echocardiographic parameter for the detection of right ventricular systolic dysfunction (RVD). We decided to assess the reliability of TAPSE measured from subcostal view (sTAPSE) by anatomical M-mode imaging (AMM) for evaluation of right ventricular systolic function and prediction of RVD in the critically ill patients by comparison with other echocardiographic parameters. ⋯ The sTAPSE measured by AMM in a population of critically ill patients has been found to be a reliable parameter of right ventricular systolic function and predicted RVD with high reliability.