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Stroke volume variation (SVV) and pulse pressure variation (PPV)

The higher the variation the more likely the patient is to be volume responsive. For proper use of the parameters, the following preconditions must be fulfilled:

  • Fully controlled mechanical ventilation with a tidal volume ≥ 8 ml/kg PBW (predicted body weight)
  • Sinus rhythm
  • Pressure curves free of artifacts
VVE and VVP formula
Volume responsiveness graph

Volume responsiveness

Mechanical ventilation induces cyclic changes in vena cava blood flow, pulmonary artery blood flow and aortic blood flow. At the bedside, changes in the aortic blood flow are reflected by swings in the blood pressure curve (and thus variations in stroke volume and blood pressure). The magnitude of these variations is highly dependent on the volume responsiveness of the patient.

With controlled ventilation, the rise in intrathoracic pressure during early inspiration leads to a squeezing of the pulmonary blood into the left ventricle. This process in turn increases the left ventricular preload. With a volume responsive patient, this results in an increased stroke volume or pulse pressure.

Stroke volume variation (SVV)
Pulse pressure variation (PPV)

VVE and VPP
  1. 1. Marino, Paul L. The ICU Book. 5. Auflage, dt. Ausgabe: page 858