Table 1 Patients' characteristics and haemodynamic findings obtained by right heart catheterisation at the time of TEE study

Age (years)

66 ± 12

57 ± 15^a

Men (n)

36 (64)

23 (72)

SAPS II

47 ± 12

41 ± 12^a

Reason for admission (n):

Medical condition

37 (66)

26 (81)

Non scheduled surgery

19 (34)

6 (19)

Vasopressor or inotropic support (n)

47 (84)

16 (50)^a

Blood pressure (mmHg):

Systolic

116 ± 25

133 ± 22^a

Diastolic

61 ± 16

72 ± 15^a

Mean

79 ± 17

94 ± 15^a

Heart rate (bpm)

105 ± 19

98 ± 22

RAP (mmHg)

11 ± 6

10 ± 4

PAP (mmHg):

Systolic

35 ± 13

43 ± 10^a

Diastolic

21 ± 6

22 ± 5

Mean

27 ± 8

30 ± 7^a

PAOP (mmHg)

12 ± 5

14 ± 6

Cardiac index (L/min/m²)

3.0 ± 1.0

3.2 ± 1.4

PVR (dynes·s·cm^-5)

424 ± 190

466 ± 201

SVR (dynes·s·cm^-5)

1 948 ± 824

2 402 ± 1087

V_T (mL/kg)

8 ± 2

8 ± 2

PEEP (cm H₂O)

9 ± 4

10 ± 3