Accuracy of Inferior Vena Cava Collapsibility Index as a Measure of Central Venous Pressure

Hemodynamic monitoring is important in the management of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) Assessment of the intravascular volume, infusion of fluids or vasoactive drugs and maintenance of an adequate systemic perfusion is essential for reduction of the risk of organ failure and/or mortality.

The use of CVP through central venous catheter is a gold standard method that is extensively used in the ICU as it reflects the filling pressure of the right ventricle (RV) and RV preload.

Central venous cannulation has significant complications such as pneumothorax, hemothorax, arterial puncture, catheter malposition, cardiac arrhythmias, venous embolism, subcutaneous hematoma, and catheter related infection, and it is difficult to use this method in an emergency situation as it requires skilled personnel.

Measurement of IVC index by bedside ultrasound is widely used to assess the intravascular volume in adult patients and has the advantage of being non-invasive, rapid, and reliable for assessing the volume status.

Besides, related measures such as IVC diameter, IVC collapsibility, and IVC to aorta (AO) diameter have been applied clinically to assess the volume status and have been related to CVP.