Transesophageal Doppler corrected flow time versus plethysmography variability index for goal-directed fluid management in cirrhotic patients during liver resection: a randomized controlled trial

Background Central venous pressure (CVP) readings are affected by several factors. The need to test the technology of noninvasive or minimal invasive monitoring during liver surgery to guide fluids intake is the focus of this trial. Adult hepatic patients undergoing elective open liver resection were randomized into transesophageal Doppler (TED, n = 20) or plethysmography variability index (PVI, n = 20). PVI blinded to anesthetist in TED group (gp) and vice versa. During dissection, crystalloids were restricted to keep corrected flow time (FTc) parameter of TED < 330 msec or PVI > 14%, otherwise infused at 6 ml/kg/h. Following resection, colloids infused if FTc < 330 msec or PVI > 14% despite crystalloids infusion. Primary aim is to compare TED-corrected flow time (FTc, msec) parameter to PVI (%) for guiding intravenous fluids during liver resection. Secondary to study their correlations and each parameter effect on blood loss and consumption, morbidity and intensive care unit (ICU) stay. Results It is presented as median [IQ]. Volumes of crystalloids and colloids guided by FTc and PVI were not different ( p = 0.3, p = 0.1, respectively) despite negligible correlations. Normovolemic existed during dissection despite 2 h of fluids restriction. FTc was 327 (320–341) msec, PVI was 11.50 (11.00–14.00) %, and CVP in TED gp 11.00 (10.00–12.00) vs. 9.00 (9.00–11.50) mmHg in PVI gp, p = 0.2. Blood loss was 1500 (475–2000) ml in TED vs. 950 (675–1925) in PVI, p = 0.5. Patients’ % in need for blood transfusion and volumes in TED vs. PVI gps were similar: red blood cells: 30%, 350 (350–350) vs. 40%, 525 (350–700) ml, and p = 0.2. Plasma is 20%, 200 (200–300) vs. 40%, and 400 (200–400) ml, p = 0.3. There was no difference in nausea, vomiting, or ICU stay, ( p > 0.05). Conclusions Volume of fluids guided by PVI was not different from that by TED, despite lack of correlation. Transfusion-free dissection was possible for a significant number of patients with normovolemia. Trial registration PACTR201808140151322 ( www.pactr.org )