What should be monitored to assess blood pressure and urine output post cardiac arrest?

Monitoring blood pressure and urine output after a cardiac arrest is crucial for several reasons. Blood pressure provides essential insight into the patient's overall hemodynamic stability and circulatory status. It can indicate the effectiveness of resuscitation efforts and help guide further treatment decisions, as fluctuations in blood pressure might suggest inadequate perfusion or the need for fluid resuscitation or vasopressors.

Urine output is an important indicator of renal perfusion and function. Following a cardiac arrest, the kidneys can become vulnerable to damage due to reduced blood flow and perfusion. Monitoring urine output allows healthcare providers to assess how well the kidneys are recovering post-resuscitation and to evaluate the patient’s fluid status. Low or absent urine output can signal complications such as acute kidney injury or continued poor perfusion, warranting rapid intervention.

Together, monitoring these two parameters helps ensure that the patient remains stable and that any complications can be detected and managed early.