Volume status and volume responsiveness assessment: A literature review of systematic reviews

Abstract

Intravenous fluid administration is an essential and life-saving procedure in every hospital setting. Balancing fluid resuscitation could be challenging due to the risk associated with both hypovolemia and hypervolemia. We conducted an extensive literature review on systematic reviews related to this topic to examine the effectiveness of various invasive and non-invasive methods for assessing volume status and fluid responsiveness. Traditional invasive methods, including central venous pressure measurements, have limited predictive values. Noninvasive sonographic measurements of the inferior vena cava, internal jugular vein, and carotid artery have the potential to be reliable alternatives for assessing volume status. Measuring cardiac output with echocardiographic methods provides valuable information. Volume responsiveness can be evaluated reliably through stroke volume and pulse pressure variations, as well as the end-expiratory occlusion test in patients under mechanical ventilation.