The effect of weight-based volume loading on the inferior vena cava in fasting subjects: a prospective randomized double-blinded trial.

Objectives: Inferior vena cava ultrasound (IVC-US) assessment has been proposed as a noninvasive method of assessing volume status. Current literature is divided on its ability to do so. The primary objective was to compare IVC-US changes in healthy fasting subjects randomized to either 10 or 30 mL/kg of intravenous (IV) fluid administration versus a control group that received only 2 mL/kg.

Emergency echocardiography.

Emergency echocardiography refers to the use of cardiac ultrasound to address critical and time-sensitive clinical questions during the initial evaluation and treatment of the critically ill patient presenting to the emergency department. The information obtained can be pivotal to a physician's clinical decision making and can guide further diagnostic or therapeutic interventions. This article provides an evidence-based discussion of the common uses of emergency transthoracic echocardiography, as well as its benefits and limitations in the current practice of emergency medicine.

Comparison of serial qualitative and quantitative assessments of caval index and left ventricular systolic function during early fluid resuscitation of hypotensive emergency department patients.

Objectives: The objective was to determine whether serial bedside visual estimates of left ventricular systolic function (LVF) and respiratory variation of the inferior vena cava (IVC) diameter would agree with quantitative measurements of LVF and caval index in hypotensive emergency department (ED) patients during fluid challenges. The authors hypothesized that there would be moderate inter-rater agreement on the visual estimates.

Methods: This prospective observational study was performed at an urban, regional ED.