Fluid expansion improve ventriculo-arterial coupling in preload-dependent patients: a prospective observational study

30 patients admitted to cardio-thoracic ICU in whom the physician decided to perform fluid challenge for volume expansion within the first hours of admission. Age ≥18, controlled positive ventilation. Exclusions: permanent arrhythmia, cardiac conduction block, pacemaker, norepinephrine/epinephrine/dobutamine, poor echogenicity, aortic regurgitation, right heart dysfunction.

Fluid challenge with 500 ml of lactated Ringer's solution infused over 10 minutes.

Effect of fluid challenge on ventriculo-arterial coupling (arterial elastance to ventricular elastance ratio), arterial elastance, ventricular elastance, and ability to predict fluid responsiveness (>15% increase in stroke volume).surrogate