The value of internal jugular vein collapsibility index in sepsis

BACKGROUND: Rapid, accurate, and reproducible assessment of intravascular volume status is crucial in order to predict the efficacy of volume expansion in septic patients. The aim of this study was to verify the feasibility and usefulness of the internal jugular vein collapsibility index (IJV-CI) as an adjunct to the inferior vena cava collapsibility index (IVC-CI) to predict fluid responsiveness in spontaneously-breathing patients with sepsis. METHODS: Three stages of sonographic scanning were performed. Hemodynamic data were collected using the Ultrasonic Cardiac Output Monitor IA system (Uscom, Ltd., Sydney, NSW, Australia) coupled with paired assessments of IVC-CI and IJV-CI at baseline, after passive leg raise (PLR), and again in semi-recumbent position. Fluid responsiveness was assessed according to changes in the cardiac index (CI) induced by PLR. Patients were retrospectively divided into 2 groups: fluid responder if an increase in CI (Delta CI) >= I5% was obtained after PLR maneuver, and non-responder if Delta CI was