An uncommon cause of high pulse pressure variation (PPV) - Report - MDSpire

An uncommon cause of high pulse pressure variation (PPV)

  • By

  • Stefano Skurzak

  • Manuela Crucitti

  • Valentina Ballerini

  • Chiara Stratta

  • July 13, 2026

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Clinical Report: A Rare Etiology of Elevated Pulse Pressure Variation (PPV)

Background

Pulse pressure variation is a critical parameter in intensive care settings, indicating fluid responsiveness and potential physiological disturbances. Understanding the etiology of elevated PPV is essential for accurate interpretation of hemodynamic status, particularly in patients with complex cardiac conditions such as complete AV block and independent ventricular pacing.

Data Highlights

No numerical data or trial data was provided in the source material.

Key Findings

  • High PPV indicates potential physiological disturbances in heart-lung interactions.
  • PPV can serve as a reliable indicator of fluid responsiveness under specific conditions.
  • Atrioventricular dissociation can lead to elevated PPV due to uncoordinated atrial and ventricular contractions.
  • Guidelines recommend dual-chamber pacemakers to avoid complications associated with single-chamber models.
  • Variability exists in the prevalence of single-chamber pacemakers across different regions.

Clinical Implications

Clinicians should consider the potential for elevated PPV in patients with ventricular pacing, particularly in the context of atrioventricular dissociation. Accurate interpretation of hemodynamic data is crucial for effective management of fluid therapy in these patients.

Conclusion

Understanding the mechanisms behind elevated PPV is vital for clinicians in the ICU to ensure appropriate fluid management and patient care.

Related Resources & Content

  1. ESICM guidelines on circulatory shock and hemodynamic monitoring 2025 | Intensive Care Medicine | Springer Nature Link
  2. Cyclic Nonrespiratory Pulse Pressure Oscillations Caused by Atrioventricular Dissociation - PMC
  3. Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine — Low admission pulse pressure and increased in-hospital mortality in patients with heart failure
  4. Pediatric Cardiology — Ventricular Arrhythmias and Risk of Sudden Cardiac Death After Percutaneous Pulmonary Valve Implantation in Children
  5. Pediatric Cardiology — Coronary Artery Variations and Their Influence on the Viability of Percutaneous Pulmonary Valve Placement
  6. Intensive Care Medicine — Morphological Analysis of Intracranial Pressure Pulses: A Potential Key Factor?
  7. ESICM guidelines on circulatory shock and hemodynamic monitoring 2025 | Intensive Care Medicine | Springer Nature Link
  8. Applied physiology at the bedside: using invasive blood pressure as a true monitoring tool | Annals of Intensive Care | Springer Nature Link
  9. Cyclic Nonrespiratory Pulse Pressure Oscillations Caused by Atrioventricular Dissociation - PMC
  10. Cardiovascular Dynamics - ESICM

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