Emergency Department (ED) Critical Care   Emergency medicine critical care podcast

 

Vena Cava

SVC provides 25% of venous return, IVC 75%

SVC is collapsible, to remain open CVP must be greater than closing pressure. Distending pressure=RAP-pleural pressure. Distending pressure is reduced by lung inflation and may become insufficient in hypovolemic patients. In other words, if pleural pressure is greater than CVP, SVC closes.

 

(Intensive Care Med. 2006 Feb;32(2):203-6.)

 

SVC collapsibility Index=SVC max-min/max >36% predicts positive response to fluids

 

12% increase in IVC diameter during lung inflation predicts need for fluids

 

IVC

measure at the renal vein or just caudad to hepatic vein takeoff. don't measure at junction with right atrium as the diaphragm may confound (ACAD EMERG MED January 2010, Vol. 17, No. 1:96)

 

New Annals article shows valid in both mech vent and none, small study, (Ann Emerg Med 2010;55:290) 2-3 cm from right atrial border

 

 

 

 

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