Ability of short-time low peep challenge to predict fluid responsiveness in mechanically ventilated patients in the intensive care.

Short-time low PEEP challenge (SLPC, application of additional 5 cmHO PEEP to patients for 30 s) is a novel functional hemodynamic test presented in the literature. We hypothesized that SLPC could predict fluid responsiveness better than stroke volume variation (SVV) in mechanically ventilated intensive care patients. Heart rate, mean arterial pressure, stroke volume index (SVI) and SVV were recorded before SLPC, during SLPC and before and after 500 mL fluid loading.