The pre-ejection period (PEP) has been described as a potential parameter for monitoring cardiac preload in deeply sedated mechanically ventilated patients. Other authors have recently suggested that PEP is not sensitive to the changes in intravascular volume status in mechanically ventilated pigs which underwent acute hemorrhage. The present comment is an analysis of this recent animal investigation.

Comment on : Kubitz JC, Kemming GI, Schultheib G, Starke J, Podtschaske A, Goetz AE, Reuter DA. The influence of cardiac preload and positive end-expiratory pressure on the pre-ejection period. Physiol Meas. 2005 Dec;26(6):1033-8. doi: 10.1088/0967-3334/26/6/012. Epub 2005 Oct 31. PMID: 16311450.