How to assess ventriculoarterial coupling in sepsis

Purpose of review We will highlight the role of ventriculoarterial coupling in the pathophysiology of sepsis and how to assess it. Recent findings Most septic patients show a ventriculoarterial uncoupling at the time of diagnosis with arterial elastance (E-a) greater than left ventricle (LV) end-systolic elastance (E-es), often despite arterial hypotension. Ventriculoarterial coupling levels predict the cardiovascular response to resuscitation in this heterogeneously responding population. Ventriculoarterial coupling is quantified as the ratio ofE(a)toE(es). The efficiency of the cardiovascular function is optimal whenE(a)/E(es)is near one. When the hydraulic load of the arterial system is excessive either from increased vasomotor tone, decreased LV contractility or both,E-a/E(es)becomes greater than 1 (i.e. ventriculoarterial decoupling), and cardiac efficiency decreases leading to heart failure, loss of volume responsiveness, and if sustained, increased mortality. Noninvasive echocardiographic techniques when linked with arterial pressure monitoring allow for the bedside estimates of bothE(a)andE(es). Studies using this approach have documented the key role ventriculoarterial coupling has defining initial cardiovascular state, response to therapy and outcome from critical illness. Sequential monitoring of ventriculoarterial coupling at the bedside offers a unique opportunity to assess relevant cardiovascular determinants in septic patients requiring resuscitation.