The Relation of Calculated Plasma Volume Status to Sublingual Microcirculatory Blood Flow and Organ Injury

Background: The calculated plasma volume status (cPVS) was validated as a surrogate of intravascular filling. The aim of this study is to assess the cPVS in relation to sublingual perfusion and organ injury. Methods: Pre- and postoperative cPVS were obtained by determining the actual and ideal plasma volume levels in surgical patients. The sublingual microcirculation was assessed using SDF imaging, and we determined the De Backer score, the Consensus Proportion of Perfused Vessels (Consensus PPV), and the Consensus PPV (small). Our primary outcome was the assessment of the distribution of cPVS and its association with intraoperative sublingual microcirculation and postoperative complications. Results: The median pre- and postoperative cPVS were −7.25% (IQR −14.29–−1.88) and −0.4% (IQR −5.43–6.06), respectively (p < 0.001). The mean intraoperative administered fluid volume was 2.5 ± 2.5 L (1.14 L h−1). No statistically significant correlation was observed between the pre- or postoperative cPVS and sublingual microcirculation variables. Higher preoperative (OR = 1.04, p = 0.098) and postoperative cPVS (OR = 1.057, p = 0.029) were associated with postoperative organ injury and complications (sepsis (30%), anemia (24%), respiratory failure (13%), acute kidney injury (6%), hypotension (6%), stroke (3%)). Conclusions: The calculated PVS was associated with an increased risk of organ injury and complications in this cohort.