Objectives: The objectives of this review are to discuss the mechanisms by which respiration impacts cardiovascular function and vice versa, with an emphasis on the impact of these interactions in pediatric cardiac critical care.
Data source: A search of MEDLINE was conducted using PubMed.
Conclusions: In the presence of underlying cardiac and respiratory disease, the interplay between these two systems is significant and plays a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of acute and chronic phases of a wide spectrum of diseases. An understanding of these relationships is essential to optimizing the care of critically ill patients.