Can one predict fluid responsiveness in spontaneously breathing patients?

Abstract

Prediction of fluid responsiveness has become a topic of intense interest. Although measurements of preload, by whatever technique, are still commonly used to guide fluid therapy [1, 2], these fail to estimate the response to fluids in one-half of the patients [3]. Accordingly, many patients may be subjected to the hazards of fluids [4], without benefiting from hemodynamic improvement.