Increasing arterial blood pressure with norepinephrine does not improve microcirculatory blood flow: a prospective study

Introduction Our goal was to assess the effects of titration of a norepinephrine infusion to increasing levels of mean arterial pressure (MAP) on sublingual microcirculation. Methods Twenty septic shock patients were prospectively studied in two teaching intensive care units. The patients were mechanically ventilated and required norepinephrine to maintain a mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 65 mmHg. We measured systemic hemodynamics, oxygen transport and consumption (DO2 and VO2), lactate, albumin-corrected anion gap, and gastric intramucosal-arterial PCO2 difference (Delta PCO2). Sublingual microcirculation was evaluated by sidestream darkfield (SDF) imaging. After basal measurements at a MAP of 65 mmHg, norepinephrine was titrated to reach a MAP of 75 mmHg, and then to 85 mmHg. Data were analyzed using repeated measurements ANOVA and Dunnett test. Linear trends between the different variables and increasing levels of MAP were calculated. Results Increasing doses of norepinephrine reached the target values of MAP. The cardiac index, pulmonary pressures, systemic vascular resistance, and left and right ventricular stroke work indexes increased as norepinephrine infusion was augmented. Heart rate, DO2 and VO2, lactate, albumin-corrected anion gap, and Delta PCO2 remained unchanged. There were no changes in sublingual capillary microvascular flow index (2.1 +/- 0.7, 2.2 +/- 0.7, 2.0 +/- 0.8) and the percent of perfused capillaries (72 +/- 26, 71 +/- 27, 67 +/- 32%) for MAP values of 65, 75, and 85 mmHg, respectively. There was, however, a trend to decreased capillary perfused density (18 +/- 10,17 +/- 10,14 +/- 2 vessels/mm(2), respectively, ANOVA P = 0.09, linear trend P = 0.045). In addition, the changes of perfused capillary density at increasing MAP were inversely correlated with the basal perfused capillary density (R-2 = 0.95, P < 0.0001). Conclusions Patients with septic shock showed severe sublingual microcirculatory alterations that failed to improve with the increases in MAP with norepinephrine. Nevertheless, there was a considerable interindividual variation. Our results suggest that the increase in MAP above 65 mmHg is not an adequate approach to improve microcirculatory perfusion and might be harmful in some patient

Nurses' perceptions of aids and obstacles to the provision of optimal end of life care in ICU

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Comparison of 6% hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 and saline solution for resuscitation of the microcirculation during the early goal-directed therapy of septic patients

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to show that 6% hydroxyethyl starch (HES) 130/0.4 achieves a better resuscitation of the microcirculation than normal saline solution (SS), during early goal-directed therapy (EGDT) in septic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with severe sepsis were randomized for EGDT with 6% HES 130/0.4 (n = 9) or SS (n = 11). Sublingual microcirculation was evaluated by sidestream dark field imaging 24 hours after the beginning of EGDT. RESULTS: On admission, there were no differences in Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, mean arterial pressure, lactate, or central venous oxygen saturation. After 24 hours, no difference arose in those parameters. Sublingual capillary density was similar in both groups (21 ± 8 versus 20 ± 3 vessels/mm(2)); but capillary microvascular flow index, percent of perfused capillaries, and perfused capillary density were higher in 6% HES 130/0.4 (2.5 ± 0.5 versus 1.6 ± 0.7, 84 ± 15 versus 53 ± 26%, and 19 ± 6 versus 11 ± 5 vessels/mm(2), respectively, P < .005). CONCLUSIONS: Fluid resuscitation with 6% HES 130/0.4 may have advantages over SS to improve sublingual microcirculation. A greater number of patients would be necessary to confirm these finding

Current use of inotropes in circulatory shock

Background Treatment decisions on critically ill patients with circulatory shock lack consensus. In an international survey, we aimed to evaluate the indications, current practice, and therapeutic goals of inotrope therapy in the treatment of patients with circulatory shock. Methods From November 2016 to April 2017, an anonymous web-based survey on the use of cardiovascular drugs was accessible to members of the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM). A total of 14 questions focused on the profile of respondents, the triggering factors, first-line choice, dosing, timing, targets, additional treatment strategy, and suggested effect of inotropes. In addition, a group of 42 international ESICM experts was asked to formulate recommendations for the use of inotropes based on 11 questions. Results A total of 839 physicians from 82 countries responded. Dobutamine was the first-line inotrope in critically ill patients with acute heart failure for 84% of respondents. Two-thirds of respondents (66%) stated to use inotropes when there were persistent clinical signs of hypoperfusion or persistent hyperlactatemia despite a supposed adequate use of fluids and vasopressors, with (44%) or without (22%) the context of low left ventricular ejection fraction. Nearly half (44%) of respondents stated an adequate cardiac output as target for inotropic treatment. The experts agreed on 11 strong recommendations, all of which were based on excellent (> 90%) or good (81–90%) agreement. Recommendations include the indications for inotropes (septic and cardiogenic shock), the choice of drugs (dobutamine, not dopamine), the triggers (low cardiac output and clinical signs of hypoperfusion) and targets (adequate cardiac output) and stopping criteria (adverse effects and clinical improvement). Conclusion Inotrope use in critically ill patients is quite heterogeneous as self-reported by individual caregivers. Eleven strong recommendations on the indications, choice, triggers and targets for the use of inotropes are given by international experts. Future studies should focus on consistent indications for inotrope use and implementation into a guideline for circulatory shock that encompasses individualized targets and outcomes

Red Blood Cell Transfusion Trigger in Sepsis

Blood transfusions are a relatively common event in patients with sepsis. Although severe anemia is associated with worse outcomes, hemoglobin levels less than the classically quoted 10 sg/dl are well tolerated in many patients, and it is difficult to determine whether or when such patients should be transfused. Importantly, there can be no one transfusion trigger or threshold for all patients, rather the benefit/risk ratio of transfusion should be assessed in each patient taking into account multiple factors including physiological variables, age, disease severity, and coexisting cardiac ischemia. The ultimate goal of transfusion is to improve tissue oxygenation, but our ability to measure these changes and hence determine the need for and response to transfusion is still limited.SCOPUS: ch.binfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe