title: Microcirculatory oxygen transport and utilization.
abstract: The cardiovascular system (macrocirculation) circulates blood throughout the body, but the microcirculation is responsible for modifying tissue perfusion and adapting it to metabolic demand. Hemodynamic assessment and monitoring of the critically ill patient is typically focused on global measures of oxygen transport and utilization, which do not evaluate the status of the microcirculation. Despite achievement and maintenance of global hemodynamic and oxygenation goals, patients may develop microcirculatory dysfunction with associated organ failure. A thorough understanding of the microcirculatory system under physiologic conditions will assist the clinician in early recognition of microcirculatory dysfunction in impending and actual disease states.
authors.affiliation: Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice, Houston Methodist Hospital, MGJ 11-017, Houston, TX 77030, USA. Electronic address: SHamlin@HoustonMethodist.org.
authors.forename: Shannan K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Hamlin
authors.affiliation: Vanderbilt University Hospital, 1211 21st Avenue South, S3408 MCN, Nashville, TN 37212, USA; Department of Anesthesiology, Division of Critical Care, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 1211 21st Avenue South, S3408 MCN, Nashville, TN 37212, USA.
authors.forename: C Lee
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Parmley
authors.affiliation: University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Nursing, Center for Nursing Research, Room #594, 6901 Bertner Avenue, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Sandra K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Hanneman
mesh_terms: D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000502:physiology*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen
keywords: Blood flow; Capillary; Hemodynamics; Microcirculation; Oxygen extraction; Oxygen transport; Oxygen utilization