Hemodynamic monitoring-guided therapy using the PiCCO-technology in decompensated liver cirrhosis

In decompensated cirrhosis deleterious changes in systemic circulation occur, such as increased cardiac output, decreased systemic vascular resistance and blood pressure. Therefore, hemodynamic monitoring is of importance for therapeutic decisions. The present clinical, prospective, controlled, randomized, monocenter, pilot trial was designed to investigate whether an intensified hemodynamic monitoring by PiCCO-technology improves patient outcome. Endpoints were mortality, length of ICU stay, renal function and APACHE-II-Score.20 consecutive patients admitted to ICU presenting with ascites and Child-Pugh-Score>1…