Influence of positive end-expiratory pressure on myocardial strain assessed by speckle tracking echocardiography in mechanically ventilated patients.

Purpose: The effects of mechanical ventilation (MV) on speckle tracking echocardiography- (STE-)derived variables are not elucidated. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) ventilation on 4-chamber longitudinal strain (LS) analysis by STE.

Methods: We studied 20 patients admitted to a mixed intensive care unit who required intubation for MV and PEEP titration due to hypoxia.

Echocardiography and pulse contour analysis to assess cardiac output in trauma patients.

Background: Echocardiography is a valuable technique to assess cardiac output (CO) in trauma patients, but it does not allow a continuous bedside monitoring. Beat-to-beat CO assessment can be obtained by other techniques, including the pulse contour method MostCare. The aim of our study was to compare CO obtained with MostCare (MC-CO) with CO estimated by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE-CO) in trauma patients.

Recruitment maneuver in prevention of hypoxia during percutaneous dilational tracheostomy: randomized trial.

Background: Percutaneous dilational tracheostomy (PDT) can potentially lead to hypoxia and alveolar derecruitment. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the efficacy of performing a recruitment maneuver (RM) before tracheostomy, in order to improve oxygenation.

Methods: We enrolled 29 eligible trauma patients with acute lung injury criteria requiring tracheostomy in a university ICU.

Comparison between an uncalibrated pulse contour method and thermodilution technique for cardiac output estimation in septic patients.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability of a new uncalibrated pulse contour method, the MostCare, in determining cardiac output (CO) in septic patients.

Methods: Thirty patients with septic shock admitted to an intensive care unit, receiving a norepinephrine infusion and requiring haemodynamic monitoring with a pulmonary artery catheter, were prospectively enrolled. Thermodilution measurements of CO (ThD-CO) were considered as the 'gold standard'.