Fig. 1From: Minimizing catecholamines and optimizing perfusionEffects of fluids on arterial pressure. Fluids increase preload which in turn can increase cardiac output if the heart operates on the steep part of the Starling relationship. Whatever the increase in cardiac output, fluids increase arterial pressure mostly in patients with high vascular tone. In patients with low vascular tone, even major increases in cardiac output have minimal impact on arterial pressureBack to article page