Global end-diastolic volume could be more appropiate to reduce intraoperative bleeding than central venous pressure during major liver transection.

Background: Central venous pressure often fails to identify the true value of cardiac preload. Our purpose is to investigate whether Global End-Diastolic Volume (GEDV) values can control hemodynamic parameters for the measurement of fluid volume, cardiac preload and blood loss during liver transection.

Methods: This was a prospective clinical study that included patients undergoing liver resection. All patients were monitored by means of PiCCO technology and 222 hemodynamic measurements were performed in 74 patients. Fluid restriction was used. Transpulmonary thermodilutions were performed at different times of surgery, namely: 1. at the beginning of surgery; 2. before hepatectomy and after selective vascular exclusion (Time 1); 3. approximately half way through the liver transection (Time 2); and 4. after liver resection (Time 3).

Results: One hundred and twenty-nine of the 222 GEDV values were decreased (prevalence of hypovolemia of 58.1%). However, twenty two of the 222 CVP values were decreased (prevalence of 10.8%). Sensitivity of CVP with regard to volume depletion (GEDV > 650 mL m-2) on the times (1, 2 and 3) were 16.28 (4.08-28.48, 95% CI), 18.18 (5.65-30.75, 95% CI) and 21.43 (7.83-35.03, 95% CI), respectively. There was no correlation between CVP and GEDV.

Conclusions: GEDV values may be more appropriate for monitoring cardiac preload during liver transection.