[Hemodynamic monitoring of critically ill patients : Bedside integration of data]

Hemodynamic monitoring of critically ill patients is a key issue in intensive care medicine. Indication and application of invasive hemodynamic monitoring is a highly complex matter and requires thorough professional education and training.

A literature review was performed.

A pragmatic approach can be divided into several steps such as medical history, physical examination, imaging, and laboratory results, which support the primary working diagnosis and allow further clarification of the underlying pathophysiology. Invasive arterial blood pressure and cardiac output measurement as well as components of the functional hemodynamic monitoring help to assess fluid responsiveness and to guide volume loading, diuretic therapy as well as administration of vasoactive or positive inotrope substances.

All information gathered through medical history, physical examination, imaging, and hemodynamic monitoring help to form an overall picture and should be reevaluated regularly and in individual cases very closely depending on the hemodynamic instability of the patient. Target values are strictly indicative and are not binding taking into account that each patient has its unique pathophysiological profile.