Strategies to optimize the cardiorespiratory status of the critically ill

The goal of cardiorespiratory monitoring is to evaluate the components of oxygen delivery and consumption. Parameters obtained from the physiologic profile are used to assess and optimize oxygen transport to meet the tissue needs of the critically ill patient. Threats to the process of tissue oxygen balance can lead to inadequate utilization at the cellular level. Therapeutic interventions can be implemented to optimize the cardiorespiratory status of the critically ill patient. Intervention strategies are not directed at simply achieving normal values or even supranormal values but at identifying the relation of oxygen delivery to oxygen consumption to potentially eliminate the development of oxygen debt.