Ultrasound-guided fluid resuscitation versus usual care guided fluid resuscitation in patients with septic shock: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: Ultrasound is widely used in critical care for fluid resuscitation in critically ill patients. We conducted a systematic review to assess the relationship between ultrasound-guided fluid resuscitation strategies and usual care in septic shock.Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and registers for randomized controlled trials to evaluate the prognosis of ultrasound-guided fluid resuscitation in patients with septic shock.Results: Twelve randomized controlled studies with 947 participants were included. Ultrasound-guided fluid resuscitation in patients with septic shock was associated with reduced mortality (risk ratio: 0.78; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.65 to 0.94; P = 0.007) and 24-hour fluid volume (mean differences [MD]: −1.02; 95% CI: −1.28 to −0.75; P < 0.001), low heterogeneity (I 2 = 29%, I 2 = 0%), and increased dose of norepinephrine (MD: 0.07; 95% CI: 0.02-0.11; P = 0.002) and dobutamine dose (MD: 2.2; 95% CI: 0.35-4.04; P = 0.02), with low heterogeneity (I 2 = 45%, I 2 = 0%). There was no reduction in the risk of dobutamine use (risk ratio: 1.67; 95% CI: 0.52 to 5.36; P = 0.39; I 2 = 0%). Inferior vena cava-related measures reduced the length of hospital stay (MD: −2.91; 95% CI: −5.2 to −0.62; P = 0.01; low heterogeneity, I 2 = 8%) and length of intensive care unit stay (MD: −2.77; 95% CI: −4.51 to −1.02; P = 0.002; low heterogeneity, I 2 = 0%). The use of the passive leg-raising test combined with echocardiography to assess fluid reactivity was superior. Ultrasound-guided fluid resuscitation did not significantly change the length of the free intensive care unit stay (MD: 1.5; 95% CI: −3.81 to 6.81; P = 0.58; I 2 = 0%).Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided fluid resuscitation in patients with septic shock is beneficial, especially when using inferior vena cavarelated measures and the passive leg-raising test combined with echocardiography.