Pro/Con debate

In high-risk surgical patients undergoing noncardiac procedures, volume expansion through the titrated administration of small fluid challenges following anaesthesia induction does not lead to excessive cumulative fluid balance compared to standard care. This strategy may contribute to the prevention of haemodynamic instability and occult hypoperfusion, especially within critical vascular beds. In this context, the French guidelines recommend the prophylactic optimisation of stroke volume through titrated fluid administration as a physiologically justified and clinically appropriate practice that should be routinely adopted by anaesthesiologists in the operating room.