Targeted resuscitation strategies after injury.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The management of the traumatically injured patient has evolved during the past half century despite continually high morbidity and mortality rates. The management of the trauma victim requires timely intervention and damage control in an attempt to maintain normal hemodynamic parameters and adequate systemic perfusion. There is a fine balance between oxygen delivery and consumption, and when this is perturbed, oxygen debt may ensue. The presence of ongoing oxygen debt is rather deleterious, resulting in an inflammatory cascade that can lead to multisystem organ dysfunction. The rapid identification and restoration of oxygen debt are central to the resuscitation of the critically ill patient, be it the result of sepsis or trauma.

RECENT FINDINGS

Resuscitation end points have evolved that allow the physician to more rapidly identify a perturbation between oxygen delivery and consumption. Moreover, end points allow uniformity in gauging the adequacy of resuscitation: preventing under- and overresuscitation and serving as a basis to compare outcome measures in resuscitation trials. Recent technologic advances have allowed a greater wealth of clinical data that can be obtained via less invasive means. Examples of this include esophageal Doppler monitoring, sublingual capnography, orthogonal polarization spectral imaging, and lithium dilution cardiac output determinations. These devices can be used in concert with more traditional resuscitation end points (ie, lactate and base deficit) to maximize oxygen delivery and correct tissue dysoxia. In addition, the management of hemorrhagic shock is continuing to evolve and challenge the dogmatic practices of normotensive resuscitation.

SUMMARY

This review addresses (1) resuscitation end points to optimize cardiac function, (2) resuscitation end points to assess the microcirculation, (3) recent developments in the management of hypotensive hemorrhagic shock, and (4) the translation of early goal-directed therapy from septic shock to use in trauma. Past findings are reflected on and direction for future investigation and clinical practice based on recent clinical advances is provided.