Use of Ultrasound to Assess Fluid Responsiveness in the Intensive Care Unit

Determining the appropriate amount of fluid resuscitation to administer to a critically ill patient is a complex decision. Traditional tools for the assessment of preload sensitivity such as central venous pressure (CVP) and pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP) are inaccurate in predicting whether a patient requires volume resuscitation [1]. Diagnostic ultrasonography in the form of echocardiography offers an alternative means of determining whether a patient is preload sensitive.