title: Predicting and measuring fluid responsiveness with echocardiography.
abstract: Echocardiography is ideally suited to guide fluid resuscitation in critically ill patients. It can be used to assess fluid responsiveness by looking at the left ventricle, aortic outflow, inferior vena cava and right ventricle. Static measurements and dynamic variables based on heart-lung interactions all combine to predict and measure fluid responsiveness and assess response to intravenous fluid resuscitation. Thorough knowledge of these variables, the physiology behind them and the pitfalls in their use allows the echocardiographer to confidently assess these patients and in combination with clinical judgement manage them appropriately.
authors.affiliation: Intensive Care, Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, Shrewsbury, UK ashleymiller@nhs.net.
authors.forename: Ashley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.affiliation: Intensive Care, Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, High Wycombe, UK.
authors.forename: Justin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mandeville
keywords: echocardiography; guidelines; haemodynamics; ultrasound protocols; ventricular function