Current opinion in critical care
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Fluid boluses are a key element of hemodynamic resuscitation, but overuse of fluids also can be harmful. It is thus important to understand how fluids actually improve clinical problems and how one can predict fluid responsiveness. It is also important to understand potential limitations of fluid therapy. ⋯ Assessment of changes in cardiac output, either directly or indirectly, is a key component of managing fluid therapy. Avoiding harm with the use of fluids requires understanding what is physiologically possible.