Traditional Versus Goal Directed Perioperative Fluid Therapy in High Risk Patients

Traditional Versus Goal Directed Perioperative Fluid Therapy in High Risk Patients. A Randomized, Assessor-blinded Study

Is goal directed fluid therapy reducing postoperative complications in comparison to traditional fluid therapy for gastro surgical ASA III/IV patients?

The investigators compare two groups of patients: one group receives goal directed fluid therapy guided by LiDCOrapid stroke volume variation (SVV), the other gets the "traditional" fluids, ie the current regime.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult ASA class III & IV (high risk) patients
• >18 years
• scheduled for gastrointestinal surgery involving laparotomy
• Both elective and emergency cases

Exclusion Criteria:

• Atrial fibrillation
• Mental impairment, unable to give informed consent
• Severe aortic or mitral stenosis
• Type of surgery: Liver surgery, transthoracic oesophagectomy