Diagnostic accuracy of a calibrated abdominal compression to predict fluid responsiveness in children

Abstract Background Fluid administration to increase stroke volume index (SVi) is a cornerstone of haemodynamic resuscitation. We assessed the accuracy of SVi variation during a calibrated abdominal compression manoeuvre (ΔSVi-CAC) to predict fluid responsiveness in children. Methods Patients younger than 8 yr with acute circulatory failure, regardless of their ventilation status, were selected. SVi, calculated as the average of five velocity–time integrals multiplied by the left ventricular outflow tract surface area, was recorded at four different steps: baseline, after an abdominal compression with a calibrated pressure of 25 mm Hg, after return to baseline, and then after a volume expansion (VE) of 10 ml kg −1 lactated Ringer solution over 10 min. Patients were classified as responders if SVi variation after volume expansion (ΔSVi-VE) increased by at least 15%. Results The 39 children included had a median [inter-quartile range (IQR)] age of 9 [5–31] months. Twenty patients were fluid responders and 19 were non-responders. ΔSVi-CAC correlated with ΔSVi-VE ( r =0.829; P AUC ) was 0.94 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.85–0.99]. The best threshold for ΔSVi-CAC was 11% with a specificity of 95% [95% CI, 84–100] and a sensitivity of 75% [95% CI, 55–95]. ROC AUC of respiratory variation of IVC diameter (ΔIVC) was 0.53 [95% CI, 0.32–0.72]. Conclusion ΔSVi-CAC during abdominal compression was a reliable method to predict fluid responsiveness in children with acute circulatory failure regardless of their ventilation status. Clinical trials registration CPP Lyon sud est II: n° ANSM 2015-A00388-41 Clinicaltrial.gov: NCT02505646.