In this SV-guided bleeding and fluid resuscitation model, both ScvO2 and dCO2 correlated well with changes in SV, but only the dCO2 returned to its baseline, normal value, while ScvO2 remained significantly lower than at baseline. These results suggest that dCO2 may be a good hemodynamic endpoint of resuscitation, while ScvO2 is not strictly a hemodynamic parameter, but rather an indicator of the balance between oxygen delivery and consumption.

Early response of PCT in the first 24 hours of commencing empirical antimicrobials in critically ill patients may help the clinician to evaluate the appropriateness of therapy.

BackgroundRecruitment maneuvers are often used in critical care patients with hypoxemic respiratory failure. Although continuous positive airway pressure/pressure support (CPAP/PS) ventilation is a frequently used approach, but whether lung recruitment also improves oxygenation in spontaneously breathing patients has not been investigated yet. The primary objective was to analyze the effect of recruitment maneuver on oxygenation in patients ventilated in CPAP/PS mode.MethodsFollowing baseline measurements PEEP was increased by 5 cmH2O. Recruitment maneuver was applied for 40 s with 40 cmH2O of PS. Measurements of the difference in PaO2/FiO2 and airway parameters measured by the ventilator were recorded immediately after recruitment then 15 and 30 min later. Thirty patients ventilated in CPAP/PS mode with a PEEP ≥5 cmH2O were enrolled in this prospective, observational study if their PaO2/FiO2 ratio was <300 mmHg or required an FiO2 >0.5.ResultsFollowing recruitment maneuver patients were considered as non-responders (NR, n = 15) if difference of PaO2/FiO2 <20% and responders (R, n = 15) if difference of PaO2/FiO2 ≥20%. In the NR-group, PaO2/FiO2 decreased non-significantly from baseline: median [interquartile], PaO2/FiO2 = 176 [120–186] vs. after recruitment: 169 [121–182] mmHg, P = 0.307 while in the R-group there was significant improvement: 139 [117–164] vs. 230 [211–323] mmHg, P = 0.01. At the same time points, dead space to tidal volume ratio (Vds/Vte) significantly increased in the NR-group Vds/Vte = 32 [27–37] vs. 36 [25–42]%, P = 0.013 but no significant change was observed in the R-group: 26 [22–34] vs. 27 [24–33]%, P = 0.386.ConclusionRecruitment maneuver improved PaO2/FiO2 ratio by ≥20% in 50% of patients ventilated in CPAP/PS mode.

Purpose of reviewTo discuss the pathophysiological rationale of advanced hemodynamic monitoring in the critically ill and also to highlight the importance of a multimodal, individualized approach. Recent findingsThere are several clinical studies and animal experiments evaluating, which hemodynamic endpoint should be the best target during fluid management. Recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses also investigated the effects of advanced hemodynamic endpoints targeted hemodynamic management on outcome mainly in high-risk surgical patients. Although most of these studies report positive results, this knowledge does not seem to affect our everyday practice. According to large international surveys, most physicians still rely on inappropriate indices. One of the reasons could be that target values applied in these studies can be misleading in the individual patient. Therefore, we describe the concept of an individualized approach, in which normalizing the components of oxygen delivery are put in the context of the patients' individual response by evaluating components of oxygen consumption, and organ perfusion. SummaryAdvanced hemodynamic monitoring-based management provides a number of benefits, which could be better tailored for the patients' actual needs by putting this into a multimodal, individualized approach.

BackgroundMajor abdominal surgery is associated with significant risk of morbidity and mortality in the perioperative period. Optimising intraoperative fluid administration may result in improved outcomes. Our aim was to compare the effects of central venous pressure (CVP), and central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2)-assisted fluid therapy on postoperative complications in patients undergoing high risk surgery.MethodsPatients undergoing elective major abdominal surgery were randomised into control and ScvO2 groups. The target level of mean arterial pressure (MAP) was ≥ 60 mmHg in both groups. In cases of MAP < 60 mmHg patients received either a fluid or vasopressor bolus according to the CVP < 8 mmHg in the control group. In the ScvO2 group, in addition to the MAP, an ScvO2 of <75 % or a >3 % decrease indicated need for intervention, regardless of the actual MAP. Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation or median (interquartile range).ResultsWe observed a lower number of patients with complications in the ScvO2 group compared to the control group, however it did not reach statistical significance (ScvO2 group: 10 vs. control group: 19; p = 0.07). Patients in the ScvO2 group (n = 38) received more colloids compared to the control group (n = 41) [279(161) vs. 107(250) ml/h; p < 0.001]. Both groups received similar amounts of crystalloid (1126 ± 471 vs. 1049 ± 431 ml/h; p = 0.46) and norepinephrine [37(107) vs. 18(73) mcg/h; p = 0.84]. Despite similar blood loss in both groups, the ScvO2 group received more blood transfusions (63 % vs. 37 %; p = 0.018). More patients in the control group had a postoperative PaO2/FiO2 < 200 mmHg (23 vs. 10, p < 0.01). Twenty eight day survival was significantly higher in the ScvO2 group (37/38 vs. 33/41 p = 0.018).ConclusionScvO2-assisted intraoperative haemodynamic support provided some benefits, including significantly better postoperative oxygenation and 28 day survival rate, compared to CVP-assisted therapy without a significant effect on postoperative complications during major abdominal surgery.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT02337010.

Purpose of reviewThe aim of this article is to study the overview of pathophysiology and clinical application of central venous oxygen saturation monitoring in critically ill patients and during the perioperative period.Recent findingsThere are several clinical studies and animal experiments evaluating the effects of goal-directed hemodynamic stabilization on critically ill patients. Recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses found that advanced hemodynamic endpoints-targeted management has a positive effect on outcome in high-risk surgical patients. As all interventions aim to improve tissue oxygenation, it is of utmost importance to monitor the balance between oxygen delivery and consumption. For this purpose, central venous blood gas analysis provides an easily available tool in the everyday clinical practice. The adequate interpretation of central venous oxygen saturation renders the need of careful evaluation of several physiological and pathophysiological circumstances. When appropriately evaluated, central venous oxygen saturation can be a valuable component of a multimodal individualized approach, in which components of oxygen delivery are put in the context of the patients’ individual oxygen consumption. In addition to guide therapy, central venous oxygen saturation may also serve as an early warning sign of inadequate oxygen delivery, which would otherwise remain hidden from the attending physician.SummaryWith the incorporation of central venous oxygen saturation in the everyday clinical routine, treatment could be better tailored for the patients’ actual needs; hence, it may also improve outcome.

Purpose. To investigate whether absolute value of procalcitonin (PCT) or the change (delta-PCT) is better indicator of infection in intensive care patients. Materials and Methods. Post hoc analysis of a prospective observational study. Patients with suspected new-onset infection were included in whom PCT, C-reactive protein (CRP), temperature, and leukocyte (WBC) values were measured on inclusion (t 0) and data were also available from the previous day (t −1). Based on clinical and microbiological data, patients were grouped post hoc into infection- (I-) and noninfection- (NI-) groups. Results. Of the 114 patients, 85 (75%) had proven infection. PCT levels were similar at t −1: I-group (median [interquartile range]): 1.04 [0.40–3.57] versus NI-group: 0.53 [0.16–1.68], p = 0.444. By t 0 PCT levels were significantly higher in the I-group: 4.62 [1.91–12.62] versus 1.12 [0.30–1.66], p = 0.018. The area under the curve to predict infection for absolute values of PCT was 0.64 [95% CI = 0.52–0.76], p = 0.022; for percentage change: 0.77 [0.66–0.87], p < 0.001; and for delta-PCT: 0.85 [0.78–0.92], p < 0.001. The optimal cut-off value for delta-PCT to indicate infection was 0.76 ng/mL (sensitivity 80 [70–88]%, specificity 86 [68-96]%). Neither absolute values nor changes in CRP, temperature, or WBC could predict infection. Conclusions. Our results suggest that delta-PCT values are superior to absolute values in indicating infection in intensive care patients. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02311816.

Hemodynamic instability often leads to hypoperfusion, which has a significant impact on outcome in both medical and surgical patients. Measures to detect and treat tissue hypoperfusion early by correcting the imbalance between oxygen delivery and consumption is of particular importance. There are several studies targeting different hemodynamic endpoints in order to investigate the effects of goal-directed therapy on outcome. A so-called multimodal concept putting several variables in context follows simple logic and may provide a broader picture. Furthermore, rather than treating population based “normal” values of certain indices, this concept can be translated into the individualized patient care to reach adequate oxygen supply and tissue oxygenation in order to avoid under, or over resuscitation, which are equally harmful. The purpose of this review is to give an overview of current data providing the basis of this a multimodal, individualized approach of hemodynamic monitoring and treatment.