Study of Ultrasonographic Cava Femoral Ratio in the Critically Ill Patient With Shock

Study of Ultrasonographic Cava Femoral Ratio in the Critically Ill Patient With Shock

This study aims to describe the ratio of the diameter of inferior vena cava to the common femoral vein measured by ultrasonography in critically ill patients with shock, and to evaluate the potential link between this ratio and the existence of intra-abdominal disease.

Among patients presenting with severe abdominal disease and shock, observations shown that the diameter of the common femoral vein was larger than the inferior vena cava. The hypothesis is that this observation could be secondary to a compression of the inferior vena cava related to an increased intra abdominal pressure.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult
• Need for ICU admission
• Need for vasopressor (epinephrine or norepinephrine) to obtain a mean arterial pressure at least of 65 mmHg

Exclusion Criteria:

• Deep venous thrombosis related to inferior vena cava or common femoral veins
• Inability to measure inferior vena cava and common femoral vein diameters using ultrasonography