If the heart is in a state of preload dependency, a reduction of preload induced by diuretics depletion might induce a reduction of stroke volume. Conversely, if the heart is in a state of no preload dependency a reduction of preload induced by a diuretics depletion might not induce a reduction of stroke volume Abdominal compression coupled with echocardiographic measurement of the stroke volume can predict fluid responsiveness and is a good tool to assess preload dependency.