Determination of Vascular Waterfall Phenomenon by Bedside Measurement of Mean Systemic Filling Pressure and Critical Closing Pressure in the Intensive Care Unit

摘要

BackgroundMean systemic filling pressure (Pmsf) can be determined at the bedside by measuring central venous pressure (Pcv) and cardiac output (CO) during inspiratory hold maneuvers. Critical closing pressure (Pcc) can be determined using the same method measuring arterial pressure (Pa) and CO. If Pcc > Pmsf there is then a vascular waterfall. In this study we assessed the existence of a waterfall and its implications for the calculation of vascular resistances by determining Pmsf and Pcc at the bedside.