Evaluating the Utility of Portal Vein Pulsatility Index for Detecting Fluid Unresponsiveness in the Intensive Care Unit.

Objective: The primary aim of the authors' study was to evaluate the capacity of the portal vein pulsatility index (PVP) to detect fluid unresponsiveness in patients admitted to intensive care.

Design: This was a retrospective, diagnostic accuracy study SETTING: At a tertiary medical-surgical intensive care unit in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Participants: Patients were included during usual care in the intensive care unit, who were evaluated by ultrasonography for the flow of the portal vein, calculating their PVP prior to fluid expansion.