Patient Examination in the Intensive Care Unit

Skin temperature and core-peripheral temperature gradient as markers of hemodynamic status in critically ill patients: A review

“…Monitoring of one or both of these parameters is seen as integral to cardiovascular assessment and is promoted as an indicator of peripheral perfusion by critical care texts. [37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44] Skin temperature monitoring has been shown to be an easy, valuable, and inexpensive monitor of tissue perfusion in critically ill adults and children that may be employed during the primary survey on admission. 17,37 Alternatively, skin temperature may be used in situations in which sophisticated equipment is not available, as occurs in hospital ward situations, or to avoid pulmonary artery catheter use.…”