Very limited usefulness of pulse pressure variation as a predictor of volume responsiveness in critically ill septic patients

Abstract

The aims of the study are to assess the usefulness of pulse pressure variation (PPV) as a predictive marker of fluid responsiveness and to estimate the value of central venous-arterial difference of carbon dioxide (PCO2cv-a) to predict the outcome of critically ill septic patients. The question of whether a septic patient needs fluids or not is crucial. Although PPV is a very reliable predictor of volume responsiveness, there are many limitations for its application. Cardiac arrhythmia, spontaneous breathing and low tidal volume ventilation prevent the extended use of this index.