Acute Coronary Syndromes
Acute Coronary Syndromes Coauthored by Shailesh Shetty KEY POINTS 1 In ischemic heart disease, survival and ventricular function are maximized by rapidly reestablishing sufficient myocardial blood flow to prevent myocardial…
Hypertensive Emergencies
Hypertensive Emergencies KEY POINTS 1 Most cases of severe hypertension in the ICU do not stem from an exotic cause but are the result of patients interrupting previously efficacious treatment…
Cardiopulmonary Arrest
Cardiopulmonary Arrest KEY POINTS 1 The success (hospital discharge without neurological impairment) of cardiopulmonary resuscitation is highly variable among patient populations. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is very effective when applied promptly to…
Quality Improvement and Cost Control
Quality Improvement and Cost Control KEY POINTS 1 Quality, cost-efficient care requires dedicated, open-minded, and well-trained ICU leaders who are provided with accurate performance data and the power to establish…
General Supportive Care
General Supportive Care KEY POINTS 1 Failure to systematically review the available database relevant to prior history, events immediately preceding presentation, vital organ performance, and therapy prescribed before and during…
Analgesia, Sedation, and Therapeutic Paralysis
Analgesia, Sedation, and Therapeutic Paralysis KEY POINTS 1 Sedatives should be administered to achieve specific target levels of an objective sedation scale and for most patients, should be interrupted at…
Nutritional Assessment and Support
Nutritional Assessment and Support 1 For patients with preexisting nutritional deficiencies, profound hypermetabolic states, or prolonged ICU stays, nutritional support is probably important. By contrast, for patients with normal nutritional…
Pharmacotherapy
Pharmacotherapy KEY POINTS 1 It is essential to review the medication list of every patient daily, preferably with a pharmacist specializing in critical care. 2 In choosing a cost-effective course…
Blood Conservation and Transfusion
Blood Conservation and Transfusion KEY POINTS 1 In hemodynamically stable, nonbleeding patients, reasonable target levels for hemoglobin are 7 to 9 gm/dL and greater than 20,000/mm3 for platelets. Higher levels…
Respiratory Monitoring
Respiratory Monitoring KEY POINTS 1 Although pulse oximetry is an invaluable clinical tool, it provides a signal-averaged number, the output of which lags behind the actual physiologic value of interest….
