Right ventricular end-diastolic volume index as a predictor of preload status in patients on positive end-expiratory pressure

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical utility of right ventricular end-diastolic volume index (RVEDVI) and pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP) as measures of preload status in patients with acute respiratory failure receiving treatment with positive end-expiratory pressure. DESIGNProspective, cohort study. SETTINGSurgical intensive care unit in a Level I trauma center/university hospital. PATIENTSSixty-four critically ill surgical patients with acute respiratory failure. INTERVENTIONSAll patients were treated for acute respiratory failure with titrated levels of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) with the goal of increasing arterial oxygen saturation to >or=to0.92, reducing FIO2 to