Arterial pulse pressure variation suitability in critical care: A French national survey

Objective: Arterial pulse pressure variation (PPV) has been used as an accurate index to predict fluid responsiveness. However, many confounding factors have been recently described. The aims of this study were to assess the conditions of applicability of PPV in intensive care units (ICU). Study design: A one-day French national survey. Patients and methods: A form assessing the suitability of PPV was completed by practitioners for each critically-ill patient included on a set day. Results: Four hundred and sixty-five patients were included in 36 ICUs. A regular sinus rhythm was noted in 408 (88%) patients and the presence of an arterial line in 324 (70%) patients. One hundred and twenty-seven (27%) patients were mechanically ventilated without spontaneous breathing. Only six patients (1.3%) had no confounding factors modifying the threshold value of the PPV. Conclusion: The incidence of ICU patients in whom PPV was suitable and without confounding factors were respectively 18% and 1.3% in this one-day French national survey.