[Stroke volume variation in the evaluation of fluid responsiveness in refractory septic shock]

To evaluate fluid responsiveness by stroke volume variation(SVV) in mechanically ventilated patients with refractory septic shock.

Forty-two refractory septic shock patients were enrolled in the study. According to the responsiveness of fluid loading, the patients were divided into responsive group and non-responsive group. The SVV values of two groups were retrospectively analyzed. The receiver operating characteristic curve was drafted to determine the cut-off value of SVV for predicting fluid responsiveness.

Among the 42 refractory septic shock patients, 24 were found responsive to fluid loading, 18 were not; before the fluid loading, central venous pressure, heart rate, mean arterial pressure and global end-diastolic volume index in the both groups showed no significant differences whereas the SVV in the responsive group was much higher than that in the nonresponsive group (P=0.006). Using SVV≥12% as the threshold to predict fluid responsiveness, the sensitivity was 77%, specificity was 85%.

SVV can accurately predict fluid responsiveness in refractory septic shock patients.