Circulatory support refers to medical interventions designed to assist or replace the function of the heart and circulatory system, often used in patients with severe heart failure or during cardiac surgery. It includes a range of devices and techniques, from medications to mechanical devices like ventricular assist devices and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, aimed at improving cardiac output and tissue perfusion.

Circulatory Support

Medical interventions are actions taken to prevent, diagnose, treat, or improve health conditions, ranging from medications and surgeries to lifestyle changes and therapies. They are critical in managing diseases, enhancing patient outcomes, and improving quality of life, often requiring careful consideration of risks, benefits, and ethical implications.

Medical Interventions

The heart functions as a muscular pump that circulates blood throughout the body, delivering oxygen and nutrients to tissues and removing waste products. Its coordinated contractions are regulated by electrical signals, ensuring efficient blood flow and maintaining homeostasis.

Heart Function

The circulatory system is a complex network responsible for the transportation of blood, nutrients, oxygen, and waste products throughout the body, ensuring that tissues receive the necessary components for metabolism and function. It consists of the heart, blood vessels, and blood, working together to maintain homeostasis and support the body's immune and endocrine systems.

Circulatory System

Severe heart failure

Cardiac surgery involves operative procedures on the heart and great vessels to treat complications of ischemic heart disease, correct congenital heart defects, or repair or replace heart valves. It requires a multidisciplinary team and is performed in specialized centers due to its complexity and the need for advanced technology and postoperative care.

Cardiac Surgery

Medications

Mechanical devices

Ventricular assist devices (VADs) are mechanical pumps that support heart function and blood flow in individuals with weakened hearts, often serving as a bridge to heart transplantation or as a long-term solution for heart failure. They can significantly improve quality of life and survival rates in patients with severe heart failure, but require careful management and monitoring to prevent complications such as infection or blood clots.

Ventricular Assist Devices

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is a life-support technique used for patients with severe respiratory and cardiac failure, providing oxygenation and carbon dioxide removal outside the body. It serves as a critical bridge to recovery or transplant when conventional treatments are insufficient, utilizing a machine that temporarily takes over the function of the heart and lungs.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Cardiac output is the volume of blood the heart pumps per minute and is a critical indicator of cardiovascular health. It is determined by the heart rate and stroke volume, reflecting the heart's efficiency in delivering oxygen and nutrients to tissues.

Cardiac Output

Tissue perfusion refers to the process of delivering blood to the capillary beds in biological tissue, essential for providing oxygen and nutrients while removing waste products. Adequate tissue perfusion is critical for maintaining cellular function and overall organ health, with imbalances potentially leading to conditions such as ischemia or shock.

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