Heart, lung & circulation
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Heart, lung & circulation · Nov 2014
ReviewExtracorporeal-assisted rewarming in the management of accidental deep hypothermic cardiac arrest: a systematic review of the literature.
A systematic review of the literature surrounding the use of Extra-Corporeal Assisted Rewarming (ECAR) in patients presenting with deep hypothermia or hypothermic cardiac arrest was undertaken using a structured protocol. Thirty-one papers were deemed suitable for review, 13 of these were of sufficient quality to permit systematic data analysis. The primary outcome measure was survival to hospital discharge. ⋯ Other data revealed a survival benefit for patients presenting with deep hypothermia without cardiac arrest treated with ECAR compared to those treated with conventional rewarming techniques. Hypoxic arrest, serum potassium > 10 mmol/L and presenting rhythm of asystole were found likely be significant predictors of poor outcome. Innovative reperfusion and rewarming strategies are also reviewed.
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Heart, lung & circulation · Nov 2014
Use of pressure-volume conductance catheters in real-time cardiovascular experimentation.
Most applications of pressure-volume conductance catheter measurements assess cardiovascular function at a single point in time after genetic, pharmacologic, infectious, nutritional, or toxicologic manipulation. Use of these catheters as a continuous monitor, however, is fraught with complexities and limitations. ⋯ Pressure-volume artifacts during inotropic infusion are caused by physical contact of the catheter with endocardium. Repeated correction of catheter position may be required to use pressure volume catheters as a continuous real-time monitor during manipulations that alter ventricular dimensions, such as inotropic therapy.