Revista Brasileira de terapia intensiva
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Rev Bras Ter Intensiva · Mar 2006
[Brazilian consensus of monitoring and hemodynamic support - part III: alternative methods for cardiac output monitoring and volemia estimation].
Cardiac output and preload as absolute data do not offer helpful information about the hemodynamic of critically ill patients. However, monitoring the response of these variables to volume challenge or inotropic drugs is a very useful tool in the critical care setting, particularly for patients with signs of tissue hypoperfusion. Although PAC remains the " gold standard" to measure cardiac output and preload, new and alternative technologies were developed to evaluate these hemodynamic variables. ⋯ The new and less invasive techniques for the measurement of cardiac output, preload or fluid responsiveness are accurate and may be an alternative to PAC in critically ill patients.
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Rev Bras Ter Intensiva · Mar 2006
[An epidemiological study of sepsis in Intensive Care Units: Sepsis Brazil study].
Sepsis represents the major cause of death in the ICUs all over the world. Many studies have shown an increasing incidence over time and only a slight reduce in mortality. Many new treatment strategies are arising and we should define the incidence and features of sepsis in Brazil. ⋯ It was observed a high mortality of sepsis in the ICUs in Brazil. The high frequency of septic shock demonstrated a group at high risk of death. In order to have a better use of the resources and reduce in mortality during the next 5 years, it is very important to identify our specific features related to this syndrome.