CORRELATION OF INFERIOR VENA CAVA (IVC) DIAMETER AND CENTRAL VENOUS PRESSURE (CVP) FOR FLUID MONITORING IN ICU

(IVC) Diameter and (CVP) For Fluid Monitoring in ICU

Abstract

Objective: To determine intravascular fluid status in critically ill patients using inferior vena cava diameter and correlating it with central venous pressure.

Study Design: Cross sectional study.                                                      

Place and Duration of Study: Intensive care department, Military Hospital Rawalpindi from Jan 2013 to Aug 2013.

Material and Methods: We included 115 adult patients of both genders in age range of 18 to 87 years by consecutive sampling admitted in intensive care unit. Ultrasound guided IVC diameter was assessed in supine patients. Data was simultaneously collected from the CVP catheter. Variables included in study were age, gender, CVP, IVC diameter.

Results: CVP ranged from -4 to 26 cm H2O with mean of 8 cm H2O (SD = 6.24). Mean IVC diameters increased with increase in CVP. Correlation between CVP and max IVC diameter was moderate and significant (r = 0.53, p < 0.001). Correlation between CVP and min IVC diameter was also moderate and significant (r = 0.58, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: A simple bedside sonography of inferior vena cava diameter correlates well with extremes of CVP values and can be helpful in assessing intravascular fluid status in these patients.