Echocardiographic Assessment of Preload Responsiveness in Critically Ill Patients

Fluid challenges are considered the cornerstone of resuscitation in critically ill patients. However, clinical studies have demonstrated that only about 50% of hemodynamically unstable patients are volume responsive. Furthermore, increasing evidence suggests that excess fluid resuscitation is associ...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Alexander Levitov, Paul E. Marik
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Hindawi Limited 2012-01-01
Series:Cardiology Research and Practice
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/819696
Description
Summary:Fluid challenges are considered the cornerstone of resuscitation in critically ill patients. However, clinical studies have demonstrated that only about 50% of hemodynamically unstable patients are volume responsive. Furthermore, increasing evidence suggests that excess fluid resuscitation is associated with increased mortality. It therefore becomes vital to assess a patient's fluid responsiveness prior to embarking on fluid loading. Static pressure (CVP, PAOP) and echocardiographic (IVC diameter, LVEDA) parameters fails to predict volume responsiveness. However, a number of dynamic echocardiographic parameters which are based on changes in vena-caval dimensions or cardiac function induce by positive pressure ventilation or passive leg raising appear to be highly predictive of volume responsiveness.
ISSN:2090-8016
2090-0597