Hemodynamic monitoring in cardiac surgery [Hämodynamisches monitoring in der herzchirurgie]

Hemodynamic monitoring to optimize goal directed therapy of patients after cardiac surgery is a basic principle, especially in the early period. A rapid change of a patient's condition may occur. Thus, the continuous monitoring of 12-lead ECG, heart rate and rhythm, pulse oximetry, invasive measurement of arterial and central venous blood pressure, fluid balance, arterial and venous blood gases and body temperature are obligatory components of "standard monitoring". In addition, standard monitoring is being extended by newer techniques like echocardiography or the less invasive pulse conture analysis or thermal dye dilution technique. Nevertheless, pulmonary artery catheterization is still the most widely used monitoring method. Based on the clinical situation of a patient, the critical evaluation of various hemodynamic parameters by the available monitoring techniques allows therapeutic concepts to be developed and performed. However, all procedures must be learned thoroughly to ensure an exact interpretation of the results. © 2008 Steinkopff-Verlag.