Goal-directed fluid management reduces vasopressor and catecholamine use in cardiac surgery patients

Objective: We examined whether guiding therapy by an algorithm based on optimizing the global end-diastolic volume index (GEDVI) reduces the need for vasopressor and inotropic support and helps to shorten ICU stay in cardiac surgery patients. Design and setting: Single-center clinical study with a historical control group at an university hospital. Patients: Forty cardiac bypass surgery patients were included prospectively and compared with a control group. Interventions: In the goal-directed therapy (GDT) group hemodynamic management was guided by an algorithm based on GEDVI. Hemodynamic goals were: GEDVI above 640 ml/m(2), cardiac index above 2.5 l/min/m(2), and mean arterial pressure above 70 mmHg. The control group was treated at the discretion of the attending physician based on central venous pressure, mean arterial pressure, and clinical evaluation. Results: In the GDT group duration of catecholamine and vasopressor dependence was shorter (187 +/- 70 vs. 1458 +/- 197 min), and fewer vasopressors (0.73 +/- 0.32 vs. 6.67 +/- 1.21 mg) and catecholamines (0.01 +/- 0.01 vs. 0.83 +/- 0.27 mg) were administered. They received more colloids (6918 +/- 242 vs. 5514 +/- 171 ml). Duration of mechanical ventilation (12.6 +/- 3.6 vs. 15.4 +/- 4.3 h) and time until achieving status of fit for ICU discharge (25 +/- 13 vs. 33 +/- 17 h) was shorter in the GDT group. Conclusions: Guiding therapy by an algorithm based on GEDVI leads to a shortened and reduced need for vasopressors, catecholamines, mechanical ventilation, and ICU therapy in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.