Protect the heart in the intensive care unit--but how?

The heart plays a pivotal role in determining the oxygen supply to the body. As a result of its high oxygen extraction ratio, the myocardium must function efficiently to supply itself with oxygen. In the context of the ICU, the efficient functioning of the myocardium is confounded by a number of pathologic processes that may interfere with its oxygen supply or increase its oxygen demand. Conventional drug treatment of acute myocardial decompensation tends to increase myocardial oxygen demand. The myocardium may potentially be "protected" by treatment modalities that favorably alter the oxygen supply to demand ratio. Newer methods of protecting the heart may involve improving the coordination of myocardial contraction, using novel inotropic agents, supporting the myocardium metabolically, administrating blood products more conservatively, favorably altering the immune response, and using mechanical support devices. Myocardial protection may be improved by better use and understanding of monitors of myocardial performance.