Practical Problems and Complications of Mechanical Ventilation KEY POINTS 1 Impaired cardiac output is most likely to result from mechanical ventilation when intravascular volume is depleted, vascular reflexes are impaired,…

Indications and Options for Mechanical Ventilation KEY POINTS 1 Prime indications for initiating mechanical ventilation include inadequate alveolar ventilation, inadequate arterial oxygenation, excessive respiratory workload, and acute heart failure with…

Airway Intubation KEY POINTS 1 Noninvasive ventilation may not be appropriate for patients who cannot protect the airway, for those who are obtunded or uncooperative, for those in whom unexpected…

Hemodynamic Monitoring KEY POINTS 1 Arterial blood pressure monitoring is an invaluable aid to the management of patients with hemodynamic instability, respiratory compromise, or brain injury and should be strongly…

Arrhythmias, Pacing, and Cardioversion KEY POINTS 1 Many arrhythmias require drug treatment; those that are asymptomatic, chronic, and stable, or related to a temporary physiological disturbance (e.g., transient hypoxemia, electrolyte…

Support of the Failing Circulation KEY POINTS 1 Circulatory insufficiency and shock result from inadequate perfusion relative to tissue demands. Although certain physical and laboratory parameters may be suggestive, shock…

Hemodynamics KEY POINTS 1 Because of differences in wall thickness and ejection impedance, the two sides of the heart differ in structure and sensitivity to preload and afterload. The normal…