Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 21, 2026
Continuous Venous-Arterial Doppler Ultrasound During a Preload Challenge
Published on: January 20, 2023
Data availability and feasibility of various techniques to predict response to volume expansion in critically ill
Michael J Lanspa1,2, Benjamin J Briggs1, Eliotte L Hirshberg1,2
1Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Intermountain Medical Center, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
Objective:
The accuracy of various techniques to predict response to volume expansion in shock has been studied, but less well known is how feasible these techniques are in the ICU.
Methods:
This is a prospective observation single-center study of inpatients from a mixed profile ICU who received volume expansion. At time of volume expansion, we determined whether a particular technique to predict response was feasible, according to rules developed from available literature and nurse assessment.
Results:
We studied 214 volume expansions in 97 patients. The most feasible technique was central venous pressure (50%), followed by vena cava collapsibility, (47%) passive leg raise (42%), and stroke volume variation (22%). Aortic velocity variation, and pulse pressure variation, and were rarely feasible (1% each). In 37% of volume expansions, no technique that we assessed was feasible.
Conclusions:
Techniques to predict response to volume expansion are infeasible in many patients in shock.
