In spite of numerous studies about fluid management and hemodynamic monitoring in thoracic anesthesia, the heterogeneity of the results has led to the fact that there is still no strong evidence on this topic. The historical recommendation of restricted fluid management has been replaced by normovolemia, but there are still many unsolved problems. Most importantly, not only the amount of the fluid, but also its indication, timing, the addition of a vasopressor and/or inotrope, its dosage, protection of glycocalyx layer and several other parameters play a role in the relationship of fluid strategy and overall outcome. Regarding the postoperative outcome, fluid management in its extensive form should be considered as an important part of a strategy.

Goal-directed therapy (GDT) is associated with certain limitations, mainly because “open thorax” can affect the cardiopulmonary interaction. Still, it can give objective hints to achieve stable hemodynamics, protection of glycocalyx, prevention of pulmonary edema and avoidance of postoperative organ injury.

Fluid management is a complex yet fundamental aspect in the care of patients undergoing cardiac surgery, and different to that for patients in general intensive care and other surgical specialties. The underlying cardiac disease and impaired cardiovascular reserve of patients in this high-risk population means that significant hemodynamic alterations can impact adversely on their short- and long-term outcomes. Volume replacement during and after cardiac surgery is not influenced by filling pressures in isolation, but requires a critical balance with vasomotor tone, fluid responsiveness and cardiac contractility. The timing, type, volume and monitoring of fluid administration are important considerations. So far, the evidence does not favor a specific choice of fluid therapy and none of the available fluid therapies has been assessed for comparative endothelial homeostatic potential. This leaves a significant knowledge gap and an incentive for researchers, clinicians and industry to design and test safer and more efficacious choices for clinical use.

Fluid administration is one of the basic components in the management of neurosurgical patients. However, there is still debate on the ideal fluid. Issues related to adequate volume replacement and effects on the intracranial pressure persist. Studies have demonstrated the harmful effects of colloids over crystalloids. Normal saline has remained a fluid of choice but there is now emerging evidence that it, too, is not free of its harmful effects. Hypertonic saline has also been accepted by many practitioners, but its use and administration require close monitoring. There is now growing evidence on the use of balanced solutions for neurosurgical patients. However, this evidence comes from a small number of studies. Hemodynamic monitoring for fluid therapy in these patients is prudent as these patients are prone to hypovolemia. Dynamic parameters like stroke volume variance and pulse pressure variance are considered more reliable to monitor fluid therapy in comparison to static parameters. This chapter briefly covers various clinical situations in neurosciences with respect to fluid therapy and use of hemodynamic monitoring while providing fluid therapy and its effect on patient outcome.

The aim of hemodynamic monitoring is to enable the optimization of cardiac output and therefore improve oxygen delivery to the tissues, avoiding the accumulation of oxygen debt, in the perioperative period. Instigating goal-directed therapy based on validated optimization algorithms has been shown to reduce mortality in high-risk patients and complications in moderate- to high-risk patients.

A number of devices are available to facilitate this goal. Devices that continuously analyze the arterial pressure waveform to calculate various flow parameters have been developed and validated. These devices have facilitated the introduction of hemodynamic monitoring to the wider surgical population, providing useful clinical information that enables the judicious use of fluid therapy whilst avoiding hypervolemia.

This chapter explores the role that hemodynamic optimization plays in perioperative care, describes some of the commonly used invasive hemodynamic monitors, and explains how to use the information produced effectively. Used correctly, any monitor can be useful to improve outcome if applied to the right population, at the right time, and with the right strategy.