Capillary refill time variation induced by passive leg raising predicts capillary refill time response to volume expansion

Background: A peripheral perfusion-targeted resuscitation during early septic shock has shown encouraging results. Capillary refill time, which has a prognostic value, was used. Adding accuracy and predictability on capillary refill time (CRT) measurement, if feasible, would benefit to peripheral perfusion-targeted resuscitation. We assessed whether a reduction of capillary refill time during passive leg raising (ΔCRT-PLR) predicted volume-induced peripheral perfusion improvement defined as a significant decrease of capillary refill time following volume expansion.

Methods: Thirty-four patients with acute circulatory failure were selected. Haemodynamic variables, metabolic variables (PCO₂gap), and four capillary refill time measurements were recorded before and during a passive leg raising test and after a 500-mL volume expansion over 20 min. Receiver operating characteristic curves were built, and areas under the curves were calculated (ROC_AUC). Confidence intervals (CI) were performed using a bootstrap analysis. We recorded mortality at day 90.

Results: The least significant change in the capillary refill time was 25% [95% CI, 18-30]. We defined CRT responders as patients showing a reduction of at least 25% of capillary refill time after volume expansion. A decrease of 27% in ΔCRT-PLR predicted peripheral perfusion improvement with a sensitivity of 87% [95% CI, 73-100] and a specificity of 100% [95% CI, 74-100]. The ROC_AUC of ΔCRT-PLR was 0.94 [95% CI, 0.87-1.0]. The ROC_AUC of baseline capillary refill time was 0.73 [95% CI, 0.54-0.90] and of baseline PCO₂gap was 0.79 [0.61-0.93]. Capillary refill time was significantly longer in non-survivors than in survivors at day 90.

Conclusion: ΔCRT-PLR predicted peripheral perfusion response following volume expansion. This simple low-cost and non-invasive diagnostic method could be used in peripheral perfusion-targeted resuscitation protocols.

Trial registration: CPP Lyon Sud-Est II ANSM: 2014-A01034-43 Clinicaltrial.gov, NCT02248025 , registered 13th of September 2014.