[Assessment of ventricular function by thermodilution in controlled ventilation with positive end expiratory pressure].

Controlled mechanical ventilation with PEEP can induce important haemodynamic modifications. The aim of this study was to focus on right ventricular function, often altered with that kind of respiratory support. Bed-side assessment of right ventricular function was made possible through thermodilution technique. Eleven patients receiving PEEP from 0 to 15 cmH2O were studied. Right ventricular end-diastolic volume (RVEDV), cardiac output (CO) and right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) were obtained for each patient. Increasing PEEP produced the same disturbances in nine patients, i.e. decreased RVEF. Blood volume expansion brought back to normal the haemodynamic values. Two patients had a decrease in CO and RVEF associated with an increase in RVEDV. In one of these two patients, dobutamine corrected the RV dysfunction. Using thermodilution technique, abnormalities of RV preload can be accurately assessed. From these data, the most appropriate treatment can then be chosen.