EARLY CARDIORESPIRATORY PATTERNS IN SEVERELY BURNED PATIENTS WITH CONCOMITANT INHALATION INJURY

Hemodynamic and oxygenation parameters were determined during the firs t 24 h in 13 burned patients with concomitant inhalation injury (burn surface area 40-60 percent). In all patients right ventricular functio n was severely compromised evidenced as a significant increase in end- diastolic volumes, decrease in ejection fractions, low stroke work ind ices and increased pulmonary vascular resistances. Inotropic support w ith dobutamine and careful titration of volume infusion according to e nd-diastolic volume indices improved the hemodynamics as demonstrated by significant increases in right ventricular ejection fractions in al l patients without ally changes in mean arterial pressures, urine outp ut and oxygenation. Assessment of ventricular performance by a special ly designed pulmonary artery catheter is helpful in the management of severely burned patients with concomitant inhalation injury. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd for ISBI.