Monitoring the critically ill gravida

Introduction, One of the most important functions of any intensive care unit (ICU) is to enable patients to arrive at specific, goal-directed endpoints of care. The exact nature of this care plan is individualized based on the character of the patient, the disease process, the unit, and the ICU team; to ensure that care is proceeding along the desired trajectory requires objective data. These data are most often provided by monitors – devices that measure specific physiological variables. Collection of data over time allows for minute-to-minute assessment of trends in a patient’s physiological state. Intensivists, physicians specially trained in critical care medicine, and other members of the ICU care team may have in-depth knowledge of monitors not available to the practitioner, who does not use them on a daily basis. It is important that these non-intensivists understand the utility, indications/contraindications, and basic interpretation of the information provided by the monitors currently in use. Non-invasive monitors do not require significant intrusion into a patient’s body. The most commonly encountered non-invasive monitors are electrocardiography (ECG), pulse oximetry, blood pressure measurement by manometry, urine output, pulse oximetry and end-tidal carbon dioxide monitoring. Invasive monitors are those which require encroachment on a patient’s body such as cannulation of vessels, insertion of neurological monitors, or insertion of pressure monitors.