Predicting volume responsiveness in spontaneously breathing patients: still a challenging problem.
The prediction of which patients respond to fluid infusion and which patients do not is an important issue in the intensive care setting. Assessment of this response by monitoring changes in some hemodynamic characteristics in relation to spontaneous breathing efforts would be very helpful for the management of the critically ill. This unfortunately remains a difficult clinical problem, as discussed in the previous issue of the journal. Technical factors and physiological factors limit the usefulness of current techniques.
Magder
S
S
Division of Critical Care, Royal Victoria Hospital, 687 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 1A1. Sheldon.magder@muhc.mcgill.ca
D001811:Blood Volume Determination / Q000379:methods*; D002302:Cardiac Output / Q000502:physiology; D005440:Fluid Therapy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011340:Problem Solving; D012119:Respiration