Accuracy and precision of cardiac output estimation by an automated, brachial cuff-based oscillometric device in patients with shock.

Non-invasive monitoring of cardiac output is a technological and clinical challenge, especially for critically ill, surgically operated, or intensive care unit patients. A brachial cuff-based, automated, oscillometric device used for blood pressure and arterial stiffness ambulatory monitoring (Mobil-O-Graph) provides a non-invasive estimation of cardiac output values simultaneously with regular blood pressure measurement. The aim of the study was to evaluate the feasibility of this apparatus to estimate cardiac output in intensive care unit patients and to compare the non-invasive estimated cardiac output values with the respective gold standard method of thermodilution during pulmonary artery catheterization.

The Role of Bronchoscopic Findings and Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Cytology in Early Diagnosis of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia.

Background: Early diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is necessary to reduce morbidity and improve survival of critically ill patients in the ICU. The purpose of the present study is to examine the performance of macroscopic bronchoscopic findings and cytological analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) as an early diagnostic tool for VAP, either alone or in combination with clinically oriented scores (modified Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score [CPIS] or Johanson criteria).

Methods: BAL was performed in 54 consecutive mechanically ventilated subjects.