Stroke Volume Variation (SVV) is a key dynamic preload indicator in critical care, assessed through advanced hemodynamic monitoring, including ultrasound. It quantifies the beat-to-beat variability in stroke volume, reflecting changes in cardiac output related to respiratory cycles. This measurement is crucial for guiding fluid management in mechanically ventilated patients, helping clinicians determine fluid responsiveness and avoid both under- and over-resuscitation.
Ultrasound, particularly focused echocardiography, offers a non-invasive way to estimate SVV by analyzing changes in left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) velocity time integral (VTI) during inspiration and expiration. Understanding SVV is essential for optimizing fluid therapy, improving patient outcomes, and minimizing complications in critically ill individuals by ensuring precise and individualized hemodynamic management.