You may observe very good contractility of the left ventricle, but if the afterload is significantly elevated, the ejection fraction may still appear reduced. This distinction is essential in understanding left ventricular performance. My name is Michel Slama, and I am a Full Professor of Intensive Care Medicine at Amiens University Hospital in France. My lecture focused on left ventricular function, specifically on how to use echocardiography—a simple yet powerful ultrasound technique—to assess cardiac function, particularly that of the left ventricle, which plays a critical role in systemic circulation. This congress, organized by Prof. Manu Malbrain, is a truly important and timely event. In intensive care, we are increasingly recognizing the crucial role that fluid management plays in patient outcomes. Whether we are administering fluids for resuscitation or for maintenance, our choices can have profound consequences. For example, we now know that giving too much fluid can increase mortality in patients with shock. On the other hand, insufficient fluid resuscitation can also worsen outcomes. Therefore, finding the optimal fluid balance is key—not too much, not too little, but just the right amount needed to improve the patient's clinical condition without causing harm. This is why meetings like this are so valuable. They bring us together to discuss the latest evidence, share best practices, and collectively improve the care we deliver to critically ill patients.

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