The approach to shock resuscitation focuses on all components of oxygen delivery, including preload, afterload, contractility, hemoglobin, and oxygen saturation. Resuscitation focused solely on preload and fluid responsiveness minimizes other key elements, resulting in suboptimal patient care. This review will provide a physiologic and practical approach for the optimization of oxygen delivery utilizing available hemodynamic monitoring technologies. Venous oxygen saturation (SvO2) and lactate will be discussed as indicators of shock states and endpoints of resuscitation within the framework of resolving oxygen deficit and oxygen debt.
Keywords: fluid responsiveness; hemodynamic monitoring; lactate; oxygen delivery; resuscitation; shock; stroke volume; venous oxygen saturation.