Monitoring peripheral perfusion and microcirculation

Microcirculatory alterations play a major role in the pathogenesis of shock. Monitoring tissue perfusion might be a relevant goal for shock resuscitation. The goal of this review was to revise the evidence supporting the monitoring of peripheral perfusion and microcirculation as goals of resuscitation. For this purpose, we mainly focused on skin perfusion and sublingual microcirculation.

Although there are controversies about the reproducibility of capillary refill time in monitoring peripheral perfusion, it is a sound physiological variable and suitable for the ICU settings. In addition, observational studies showed its strong ability to predict outcome. Moreover, a preliminary study suggested that it might be a valuable goal for resuscitation. These results should be confirmed by the ongoing ANDROMEDA-SHOCK randomized controlled trial. On the other hand, the monitoring of sublingual microcirculation might also provide relevant physiological and prognostic information. On the contrary, methodological drawbacks mainly related to video assessment hamper its clinical implementation at the present time.

Measurements of peripheral perfusion might be useful as goal of resuscitation. The results of the ANDROMEDA-SHOCK will clarify the role of skin perfusion as a guide for the treatment of shock. In contrast, the assessment of sublingual microcirculation mainly remains as a research tool.