B-type natriuretic peptide, corrected flow time and central venous pressure as predictors of fluid responsiveness in septic shock

The plasma B-type natriuretic peptide concentration (BNP) appears not to predict fluid responsiveness in septic shock but no account has been made for the potential influence of cardiac rhythm [1]. Also, no comparison has been made between BNP and other clinical guides to fluid therapy, such as the Doppler aortic flow time corrected for heart rate (FTc) or central venous pressure (CVP). The aim of this preliminary study was to compare BNP, FTc and CVP as predictors of fluid responsiveness in septic shock patients without cardiac dysrhythmia.