When treating a patient in shock, one of the most critical but challenging steps is evaluating intravascular fluid status. Traditional methods of evaluating blood volume status can be invasive or require equipment that is not readily available. However, measuring the inferior vena cava (IVC) collapsiblity index is a noninvasive and easily repeatable way of assessing volume. Alternative means of obtaining a patient's blood volume status, such as a pulmonary catheter, may require extensive procedures and specialized equipment.
The IVC collapsibility index can also mark an accurate predictor of fluid responsiveness in critically ill patients. Intravascular volume status and right-heart pressure can also be assessed by an IVC evaluation and used to guide resuscitation, especially in cases of undifferentiated hypotension and shock states.
Manually measuring the IVC collapsibility index is time-consuming and may risk introducing errors. The Auto IVC tool, available exclusively on the GE Healthcare Venue family Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) systems, automates IVC assessment to accurately deliver the IVC diameter and collapsibility immediately. This automated measurement provides a parameter meant to assist in the assessment of volume status in shock patients. An internal study found that the IVC measurements acquired by the Auto IVC tool were equivalent to an expert user's ability 87% of the time for minimal diameters and 92% of the time for maximal diameters.1
The Auto IVC tool also provides a simple and robust method for monitoring changes in IVC diameter, distensibility, and collapsibility. These measurements are highly repeatable, even for physicians who have received minimal training. The system also comes equipped with a quality indicator that assists with image acquisition. The Auto IVC tool helps simplify patient assessments, accelerates treatment, and supports physician confidence.
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References
- GE Healthcare. Venue Go R2 technical product claims document (DOC2199650). https://app.welcomesoftware.com/cloud/venue-family_auto-ivc_whitepaper_pocus__glob_jb02196xx.pdf. Accessed June 9, 2022.
