Detection of elevated right atrial pressure using a simple bedside ultrasound measure

Biomarkers of Hemodynamic Congestion in Heart Failure

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The purpose of this review is to describe the evidence behind various blood and imaging-based biomarkers that can improve the identification of congestion when not clearly evident on routine examination.

RECENT FINDINGS

The natriuretic peptides (NPs) BNP and NT-proBNP have been shown to closely correlate with intra-cardiac filling pressures, both at baseline and when trended following improvement in congestion. Additionally, NPs rise well before clinical congestion is apparent so can be used as a tool to help identify subclinical HF decompensation. Additional serum-based biomarkers including MR-proANP and CA-125 can be helpful in assisting with diagnostic certainty when BNP or NT-proBNP are in the "grey zone" or when factors are present which may confound NP levels. Additionally, the emerging use of ultrasound techniques may enhance our ability to fine-tune the assessment and treatment of congestion. Biomarkers, including the blood-based natriuretic peptides and markers on bedside point of care ultrasound, can be used as non-invasive indices of hemodynamic congestion. These biomarkers are particularly valuable to incorporate when the degree of a patient's congestion is not apparent on clinical exam, and they can provide important prognostic information and help guide clinical management.

Integrative assessment of congestion in heart failure using ultrasound imaging

In heart failure (HF), congestion is a key pathophysiologic hallmark and a major contributor to morbidity and mortality. However, the presence of congestion is often overlooked in both acute and chronic settings, particularly when it is not clinically evident, which can have important clinical consequences. Ultrasound (US) is a widely available, non-invasive, sensitive tool that might enable clinicians to detect and quantify the presence of (subclinical) congestion in different organs and tissues and guide therapeutic strategies. In particular, left ventricular filling pressures and pulmonary pressures can be estimated using transthoracic echocardiography; extravascular lung water accumulation can be evaluated by lung US; finally, systemic venous congestion can be assessed at the level of the inferior vena cava or internal jugular vein. The Doppler evaluation of renal, hepatic and portal venous flow can provide additional valuable information. This review aims to describe US techniques allowing multi-organ evaluation of congestion, underlining their role in detecting, monitoring, and treating volume overload more objectively.

Prognostic Value of Jugular Venous Diameters and Compliance in Patients with Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Background

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations constitute a significant proportion of patients presenting to the emergency department (ED). It has been suggested that measurement of jugular venous diameter and compliance may have prognostic value in patients with heart failure. We hypothesized that these measurements may also be valuable in patients with advanced COPD.

Methods

This study was a single-center, prospective, and cross-sectional study conducted in a university hospital between November 2020 and November 2021. In the study, internal jugular vein (IJV) diameters (inspiration, forced expiration, and rest) and jugular venous compliance were measured with ultrasound in patients who presented to the ED with COPD exacerbation. One month later, data about mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and any hospitalization were obtained and evaluated together with a range of laboratory parameters.

Results

Data from a total of 93 patients were analyzed. Of these, 17 (18.2%) died, 19 (20.4%) were admitted to the ICU, and 36 (38.7%) were hospitalized at the end of the 1-month period. Consequently, a total of 44 patients (47.3%) were in the good outcome group and 49 patients (52.7%) were in the poor outcome group. In terms of mortality, inspiratory IJV diameter was 5.6 ± 2.9 mm in the survived group (n = 76) and 7.6 ± 3.9 mm in the deceased group (n = 17) (P = 0.031). There was no difference between the venous compliance values and other diameter measurements of the patients. In the analysis performed with the subgroup with high N-terminal prohormone brain natriuretic peptide values, it was shown that both resting and inspiration diameter measurements were higher in the group with poor outcomes.

Conclusion

There was no difference between the jugular vein compliance values in terms of mortality in patients admitted to the ED with COPD exacerbation. However, these measurements may have prognostic value in patients with COPD exacerbations complicated by heart failure.

Seeing beneath the surface: Harnessing point-of-care ultrasound for internal jugular vein evaluation

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) of the internal jugular vein (IJV) offers a non-invasive means of estimating right atrial pressure (RAP), especially in cases where the inferior vena cava is inaccessible or unreliable due to conditions such as liver disease or abdominal surgery. While many clinicians are familiar with visually assessing jugular venous pressure through the internal jugular vein, this method lacks sensitivity. The utilization of POCUS significantly enhances the visualization of the vein, leading to a more accurate identification. It has been demonstrated that combining IJV POCUS with physical examination enhances the specificity of RAP estimation. This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the various sonographic techniques available for estimating RAP from the internal jugular vein, drawing upon existing data.

Estimation of Right Atrial Pressure by Ultrasound-Assessed Jugular Vein Distensibility in Patients With Heart Failure

BACKGROUND

Clinical evaluation of central venous pressure is difficult, depends on experience, and is often inaccurate in patients with chronic advanced heart failure. We assessed the ultrasound-assessed internal jugular vein (JV) distensibility by ultrasound as a noninvasive tool to identify patients with normal right atrial pressure (RAP ≤7 mm Hg) in this population.

METHODS

We measured JV distensibility as the Valsalva-to-rest ratio of the vein diameter in a calibration cohort (N=100) and a validation cohort (N=101) of consecutive patients with chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction who underwent pulmonary artery catheterization for advanced heart failure therapies workup.

RESULTS

A JV distensibility threshold of 1.6 was identified as the most accurate to discriminate between patients with RAP ≤7 versus >7 mm Hg (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.74 [95% CI, 0.64-0.84]) and confirmed in the validation cohort (receiver operating characteristic, 0.82 [95% CI, 0.73-0.92]). A JV distensibility ratio >1.6 had predictive positive values of 0.86 and 0.94, respectively, to identify patients with RAP ≤7 mm Hg in the calibration and validation cohorts. Compared with patients from the calibration cohort with a high JV distensibility ratio (>1.6; n=42; median RAP, 4 mm Hg; pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, 11 mm Hg), those with a low JV distensibility ratio (≤1.6; n=58; median RAP, 8 mm Hg; pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, 22 mm Hg; P<0.0001 for both) were more likely to die or undergo a left ventricular assist device implant or heart transplantation (event rate at 2 years: 42.7% versus 18.2%; log-rank P=0.034).

CONCLUSIONS

Ultrasound-assessed JV distensibility identifies patients with chronic advanced heart failure with normal RAP and better outcomes.

REGISTRATION

URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03874312.

Transcending boundaries: Unleashing the potential of multi-organ point-of-care ultrasound in acute kidney injury

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a clinical syndrome characterized by a rapid increase in serum creatinine levels or a decrease in urine output or both. In spite of thorough history-taking, physical examination, and laboratory analysis, there are limitations in the diagnostic process and clinical monitoring of AKI. Point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS), a limited ultrasound study performed by clinicians at the bedside, has emerged as a valuable tool in different clinical settings. In this discussion, we explore the potential of POCUS performed by nephrologists to address specific questions encountered in the diagnosis and management of AKI patients. POCUS not only aids in excluding hydronephrosis but also provides real-time insights into hemodynamics, enabling formulation of individualized treatment plans. Further studies are required to assess the impact of multi-organ POCUS on pragmatic patient outcomes related to AKI, as well as its potential in risk stratification and identification of different levels of AKI severity and pathophysiological signatures.

Temporal Changes in Electrolytes, Acid-Base, QTc Duration, and Point-of-Care Ultrasound during Inpatient Hemodialysis Sessions

Background

Of the more than 550,000 patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis (HD) in the United States, each has an average of 1.6 admissions annually (>880,000 inpatient HD sessions). Little is known about the temporal changes in laboratory values, ECGs, and intravascular and extravascular volume during inpatient HD sessions.

Methods

In this prospective cohort study of hospitalized HD patients, we assessed intradialytic laboratory values (metabolic panels, blood gases, ionized calcium levels), ECGs, and sonographic measures of volume status.

Results

Among 30 participants undergoing HD (mean age 62 years; 53% men, 43% Black) laboratory values had the largest changes in the first hour of HD. There was no significant change in ionized calcium levels pre- to post-HD (change: -0.01±0.07, P=0.24); 12 of 30 and 17 of 30 patients had levels below the lower reference limit at the beginning and end of HD, respectively. The mean pH increased pre- to post-HD (change: 0.06±0.04, P<0.001); 21 of 30 had a pH above the upper reference limit post-HD. There was a trend toward longer median QTc duration from pre- to post-HD (change: 7.5 msec [-5 msec, 19 msec], P=0.07). The sum of B lines on lung ultrasound decreased from pre- to post-HD (median decrease: 3 [1, 7], P<0.01). The collapsibility index of the inferior vena cava increased pre- to post-HD (median increase: 4.8% [1.5%, 13.4%], P=0.01), whereas internal jugular vein diameter did not change (P=0.24).

Conclusions

Among hospitalized patients undergoing HD, we found dynamic changes in laboratory values, QTc duration, and volume status. Further research is required to assess whether HD prescriptions can be tailored to alter these variations to potentially improve patient outcomes.

Accurate Estimation of Right-Filling Pressure Using Handheld Ultrasound Score in Patients with Heart Failure

INTRODUCTION

This study aims to evaluate the accuracy of bedside assessment of inferior vena cava (IVC) and right internal jugular (RIJ) vein in predicting right atrial (RA) pressure in heart failure patients.

METHODS

We prospectively studied 124 heart failure patients who were referred to our catheterization laboratory for right heart catheterizations to assess hemodynamics and to guide heart failure management. Just prior to the procedure, a handheld ultrasound examination was performed in each patient. The volume status was assessed by estimating RA pressure using end-expiratory IVC dimension, IVC respiratory collapsibility, and RIJ respiratory collapsibility. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on invasive RA pressure value. Multiple logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with RA ≥10 mm Hg; a 3-point simple score was then created. The performance of this score was assessed using the receiver operating characteristics curve.

RESULTS

In this study 124 heart failure patients were included; median age was 59 years (interquartile range 48-65), and 40% were female. RIJ respiratory collapsibility <50%, end-expiratory IVC dimension ≥21 mm, and respiratory collapsibility <50% were significantly associated with elevated RA pressure, and were used to build the score. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) for the 3-point score was 0.84 (0.77-0.92), and it performed better than 2-point score using IVC characteristics alone (AUC 0.84 [0.77-0.92] vs 0.75 [0.67-0.83]; P = .003). Of 124 patients, 90 patients (72.5%) had concordant RA pressure and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure.

CONCLUSION

Concomitant ultrasound assessment of RIJ and IVC correlated better with RA pressure than IVC alone. A simple 3-point score can provide a useful and easily accessible tool to estimate volume status, and further guide management of heart failure patients.

Non-Invasive Assessment of Congestion by Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Ultrasound and Biomarkers in Heart Failure

Worsening chronic heart failure (HF) is responsible for recurrent hospitalization and increased mortality risk after discharge, irrespective to the ejection fraction. Symptoms and signs of pulmonary and systemic congestion are the most common cause for hospitalization of acute decompensated HF, as a consequence of increased cardiac filling pressures. The elevated cardiac filling pressures, also called hemodynamic congestion, may precede the occurrence of clinical congestion by days or weeks. Since HF patients often have comorbidities, dyspnoea, the main symptom of HF, may be also caused by respiratory or other illnesses. Recent studies underline the importance of the diagnosis and treatment of hemodynamic congestion before HF symptoms worsen, reducing hospitalization and improving prognosis. In this paper we review the role of integrated evaluation of biomarkers and imaging technics, i.e., echocardiography and pulmonary ultrasound, for the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of congestion in HF patients.

Accuracy of Ultrasound Jugular Venous Pressure Height in Predicting Central Venous Congestion

BACKGROUND

Assessment of volume status through the estimation of central venous pressure (CVP) is integral in the care of heart failure (HF). Bedside assessment is limited by obesity, variation in physical examination skills, and expertise in ultrasonography.

OBJECTIVE

To validate the accuracy of quantitative and qualitative point-of-care ultrasonography assessment of jugular venous pressure (JVP) in predicting elevated CVP.

DESIGN

Prospective observational study using convenience sampling.

SETTING

2 U.S. academic hospitals.

PATIENTS

Adult patients undergoing right heart catheterization between 5 February 2019 and 1 March 2021.

MEASUREMENTS

Estimation of the JVP height by handheld ultrasound device (uJVP), JVP by traditional physical examination, and qualitative presence of a distended uJVP in the upright position (upright-uJVP) was done before invasive measurements. Receiver-operating characteristic analysis of the uJVP was compared with invasive hemodynamics.

RESULTS

In 100 participants undergoing right heart catheterization for HF indications (mean age, 59.6 years; 44% with preserved ejection fraction), the uJVP in a reclined position accurately predicted elevated right atrial pressure (RAP) (>10 mm Hg), with an area under the curve of 0.84. A positive uJVP in the upright position was 94.6% specific for predicting elevated RAP.

LIMITATION

Limited examiners, only 2 centers, and convenience sampling.

CONCLUSION

Point-of-care ultrasonography assessment of the uJVP is feasible, reproducible, and accurately predictive of elevated CVPs in patients undergoing right heart catheterization. Further investigation of clinical application of ultrasound-measured JVP seems warranted.

PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE

None.

[Focus ultrasound for cardiology practice. Russian consensus document]

This document is a consensus document of Russian Specialists in Heart Failure, Russian Society of Cardiology, Russian Association of Specialists in Ultrasound Diagnostics in Medicine and Russian Society for the Prevention of Noncommunicable Diseases. In the document a definition of focus ultrasound is stated and discussed when it can be used in cardiology practice in Russian Federation.

Point of care venous Doppler ultrasound: Exploring the missing piece of bedside hemodynamic assessment

Accurate assessment of the hemodynamic status is vital for appropriate management of patients with critical illness. As such, there has been a constant quest for reliable and non-invasive bedside tools to assess and monitor circulatory status in order to ensure end-organ perfusion. In the recent past, point of care ultrasonography (POCUS) has emerged as a valuable adjunct to physical examination in various specialties, which basically is a clinician-performed bedside ultrasound to answer focused questions. POCUS allows visualization of the internal anatomy and flow dynamics in real time, guiding apt interventions. While both arterial (forward flow) and venous (organ outflow or afterload) limbs of hemodynamic circuit are important for tissue perfusion, the venous side remains relatively under-explored. With recent data underscoring the deleterious consequences of iatrogenic volume overload, objective evaluation of venous congestion is gaining attention. Bedside Doppler ultrasound serves this purpose and aids in diagnosing and monitoring the congestion/venous blood flow pattern. In this article, we summarize the rationale for integrating this technology into routine care of patients with volume-related disorders, discuss the normal and abnormal waveforms, limitations, and future directions.

The prevalence and clinical associations of ultrasound measures of congestion in patients at risk of developing heart failure

AIMS

Congestion is a cardinal feature of untreated heart failure (HF) and might be detected by ultrasound (US) before overt clinical signs appear.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We investigated the prevalence and clinical associations of subclinical congestion in 238 patients with at least one clinical risk factor for HF (diabetes, ischaemic heart disease, or hypertension) using three US variables: (i) inferior vena cava (IVC) diameter; (ii) jugular vein distensibility (JVD) ratio (the ratio of the jugular vein diameter during the Valsalva manoeuvre to that at rest); (iii) the number of B-lines from a 28-point lung US. US congestion was defined as IVC diameter > 2.0 cm, JVD ratio < 4.0 or B-lines count > 14. The prevalence of subclinical congestion (defined as at least one positive US marker of congestion) was 30% (13% by IVC diameter, 9% by JVD ratio and 13% by B-line quantification). Compared to patients with no congestion on US, those with at least one marker had larger left atria and higher plasma concentrations of natriuretic peptides. Patients with raised plasma N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide/B-type natriuretic peptide had a lower JVD ratio (7.69 vs. 8.80; P = 0.05) and more often had at least one lung B-line (74% vs. 63%; P = 0.05). However, plasma natriuretic peptide concentrations were more closely related to left atrial volume than other US measures of congestion.

CONCLUSIONS

Subclinical evidence of congestion by US is common in patients with clinical risk factors for HF. Whether these measurements provide additional value for predicting the development of HF and its prevention deserves consideration.

Role of Internal Jugular Venous Ultrasound in suspected or confirmed Heart Failure: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Few data are available on the use of internal jugular vein (IJV) ultrasound parameters to assess central venous pressure and clinical outcomes among patients with suspected or confirmed heart failure (HF).

METHODS

We performed electronic searches on PubMed, The Cochrane Library, EMBASE, EBSCO, Web of Science, and CINAHL databases from the inception through January 9, 2021, to identify studies evaluating the accuracy and reliability of the IJV ultrasound parameters and exploring its correlation with central venous pressure and clinical outcomes in adult patients with suspected or confirmed acutely decompensated HF. The studies' report quality was assessed by Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 scale.

RESULTS

A total of 11 studies were eligible for final analysis (n = 1481 patients with HF). The studies were segregated into 3 groups: (1) the evaluation of patients presenting to the emergency department with dyspnea, (2) the evaluation of patients presenting to the HF clinic for follow-up, and (3) the evaluation of hospitalized patients with acutely decompensated HF or undergoing right heart catheterization. US parameters included IJV height, IJV diameter, IJV diameter ratio, IJV cross-sectional area, respiratory compressibility index, and compression compressibility index.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this systematic review suggest a significant role for ultrasound interrogation of the IJV in evaluation of patients in the emergency department presenting with dyspnea, in the outpatient clinic for poor clinical outcomes in HF, and in determining the timing of discharge for patients admitted with acutely decompensated HF. Further studies are warranted for testing the reliability of the reported ultrasound indices.

Correlation of internal jugular and subclavian vein diameter variation on bedside ultrasound with invasive right heart catheterization

Introduction

Accurate estimation of fluid status is paramount in patients with heart failure. We hypothesized that bedside ultrasound assessment of the internal jugular vein (IJV) and subclavian vein (SCV) could reliably estimate right atrial pressure (RAP).

Methods

Prospectively enrolled patients were positioned supine. IJV was imaged at the apex of the right sternocleidomastoid muscle and SCV was imaged at the lateral third of the right clavicle. Using M-mode on a portable ultrasound machine, the maximum (D_max) and minimum (D_min) anteroposterior diameters were noted during normal breathing. Respiratory variation in diameter (RVD) was calculated as [(D_max – D_min)/D_max] and expressed as percent. Collapsibility was assessed with sniff maneuver. Patients then underwent right heart catheterization and their findings were correlated with above.

Results

Total of 72 patients were enrolled with mean age 61 years, mean BSA 1.9 m², and left ventricular ejection fraction 45 ± 20%. Elevated RAP≥ 10 mmHg was associated with dilated IJV D_max(1.0 vs. 0.7cm, p = 0.001), less RVD with resting respiration (14% vs. 40% for IJV, p = 0.001 and 24% vs. 45% for SCV, p = 0.001), and reduced likelihood of total collapsibility with sniff (16% vs. 66% patients for IJV, p = 0.001 and 25% vs. 57% patients for SCV, p = 0.01). For RAP ≥10 mmHg, lack of IJV complete collapsibility with sniff had a sensitivity of 84% while IJV D_max > 1cm and RVD <50% had a specificity of 80%.

Conclusion

The IJV and SCV diameters and their respiratory variation are reliable in estimating RA pressure.

Ultrasound imaging of congestion in heart failure: examinations beyond the heart

Congestion, related to pressure and/or fluid overload, plays a central role in the pathophysiology, presentation and prognosis of heart failure and is an important therapeutic target. While symptoms and physical signs of fluid overload are required to make a clinical diagnosis of heart failure, they lack both sensitivity and specificity, which might lead to diagnostic delay and uncertainty. Over the last decades, new ultrasound methods for the detection of elevated intracardiac pressures and/or fluid overload have been developed that are more sensitive and specific, thereby enabling earlier and more accurate diagnosis and facilitating treatment strategies. Accordingly, we considered that a state-of-the-art review of ultrasound methods for the detection and quantification of congestion was timely, including imaging of the heart, lungs (B-lines), kidneys (intrarenal venous flow), and venous system (inferior vena cava and internal jugular vein diameter).

Use of ultrasound-measured internal jugular vein collapsibility index to determine static intracardiac pressures in patients with presumed pulmonary hypertension

Background

Bedside ultrasound helps to estimate volume status in critically ill patients and has traditionally relied on diameter, respiratory variation, and collapsibility of the inferior vena cava (IVC) to reflect fluid status. We evaluated collapsibility of the internal jugular vein (IJ) with ultrasound and correlated it with concomitant right heart catheterization (RHC) measurements in patients with presumed pulmonary hypertension.

Methods and results

We studied 71 patients undergoing RHC for evaluation of pulmonary hypertension. Using two-dimensional ultrasound (Sonosite, Washington, USA), we measured the diameter of the IJ at rest, during respiratory variation, and during manual compression. Collapsibility index during respiration (respiratory CI) and during manual compression (compression CI) was calculated. We correlated mean right atrial pressure (mRAP) and pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP) defined by RHC measurements with respiratory and compression CI. A secondary goal was examining correlations between CI calculations and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels. Baseline characteristics demonstrated female predominance (n = 51; 71.8%), mean age 59.5 years, and BMI 27.3. There were significant correlations between decrease in compression CI and increase in both mRAP (Spearman: − 0.43; p value = 0.0002) and PAOP (Spearman: − 0.35; p value = 0.0027). In contrast, there was no significant correlation between respiratory CI and either mRAP (Spearman: − 0.14; p value = 0.35) or PAOP (Spearman:− 0.12; p value = 0.31). We also observed significant negative correlation between compression CI and BNP (Spearman: − 0.31; p value = 0.01) but not between respiratory CI and BNP (Spearman: − 0.12; p value = 0.35).

Conclusion

Increasing use of ultrasound has led to innovative techniques for estimating volume status. While prior ultrasound studies have used clinical parameters to estimate fluid status, our study used RHC measurements and demonstrated that compression CI potentially reflects directly measured mRAP and PAOP.

Doppler Recognition of Low or Normal Central Venous Pressure from Continuous Flow from Inferior Vena Cava Into Right Atrium

Estimation of right atrial (RA) or central venous pressure (CVP) is a critical component of a comprehensive transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE) examination. We hypothesize that continuous inflow from the inferior vena cava (IVC) into the RA is a surrogate for low/normal CVP and can be reliably imaged in standard echocardiographic parasternal short and right ventricular inflow views. We retrospectively studied 200 patients who underwent right heart catheterization (RHC) within 8 hours of TTE between 2012 and 2016, and selected 60 patients in whom the continuous wave Doppler beam incidentally interrogated IVC inflow into RA during evaluation of the tricuspid valve. From these studies, we sought an uninterrupted Doppler wave (DW) inflow signal. CVP on RHC were then compared in patients with continuous and interrupted DW. Other TTE and RHC parameters were also noted and compared in these 2 groups. The average time interval between TTE and RHC was 266 ± 151 minutes. Of 60 patients (males = 39 (65%); age 63 ± 14 years), 12 patients (20%) had continuous DW and 48 (80%) had interrupted DW inflow signal from IVC into the RA. Of the 12 patients with continuous flow, 11 had RA pressure of ≤7 mm Hg. Similarly, of 48 patients with interrupted flow, RA pressure was >7 mm Hg in 45, and less than ≤7 mm Hg in 3 patients (two-sided p value 0.0001). The continuous DW signal predicted RA of ≤7 mm Hg with a sensitivity and specificity of 98% and 78%, respectively. Additionally, when combined with IVC size and collapsibility (normal-sized collapsible IVC), the sensitivity and specificity of DW signal to predict RA of ≤ 7 mmHg were enhanced to 94% and 92%, respectively. In conclusion, IVC flow pattern can be reliably studied to estimate CVP in standard echocardiographic views. Continuous and interrupted IVC flow predicts normal and elevated RA pressure, respectively.

Role of Internal Jugular Vein Ultrasound Measurements in the Assessment of Central Venous Pressure in Spontaneously Breathing Patients: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Few studies have tested the role of the internal jugular vein (IJV) ultrasonographic (US) diameters in the assessment of central venous pressure (CVP) in spontaneously breathing patients. No review or meta-analysis is currently available on the role of IJV assessment in this setting. The aim of this systematic review is to check the reliability and accuracy of IJV US diameters in predicting CVP and to evaluate its correlation with CVP in spontaneously breathing patients.

METHODS

This systematic review was based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. We included studies on the accuracy and reliability of the IJV ultrasound measures and studies exploring its correlation with CVP in adult spontaneously breathing patients. The studies' report quality was assessed by Standards for Reporting of Diagnostic Accuracy (STARD) and Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS)-2 scales.

RESULTS

A total of five studies was eligible for final analysis. The studies on IJV ultrasound measures showed a good quality in reporting. The anterior-posterior diameter maximum of IJV (AP-IJV Dmax) showed the best correlation with the CVP with a good inter-rater reliability and validity in predicting CVP. All measures showed good inter-rater reliability and validity in predicting CVP, but only the AP-IJV Dmax showed good correlation with CVP.

CONCLUSIONS

The AP-IJV Dmax could be a potential surrogate of CVP because of its good reliability and validity in predicting CVP value and its fair-moderate correlation with CVP. Anyway, further research should confi rm these conclusions.

Bedside Ultrasound Assessment of Jugular Venous Compliance as a Potential Point-of-Care Method to Predict Acute Decompensated Heart Failure 30-Day Readmission

Background Heart failure is one of the most costly diagnosis-related groups, largely because of hospital readmissions. Objective assessment of volume status to ensure optimization before hospital discharge could significantly reduce readmissions. We previously demonstrated an ultrasound method of quantifying percentage of cross-sectional area ( CSA ) change of the right internal jugular vein with Valsalva that reliably estimates central venous pressure. Methods and Results Patients admitted with acute decompensated heart failure ( ADHF ) underwent ultrasound measurements of the right internal jugular vein at end-expiration and during the strain phase of Valsalva to determine a percentage of CSA change. An initial subgroup of patients with right heart catheterization and accompanying ultrasound measurements of the right internal jugular vein identified a percentage of CSA change predictive of right atrial pressure ( RAP ) ≥12 mm Hg. Images of admitted ADHF patients were obtained at admission and discharge for final analysis. Simultaneous right heart catheterization and right internal jugular vein ultrasound measurements demonstrated that a <66% CSA change predicted RAP ≥12 mm Hg (positive predictive value: 87%; P<0.05, receiver operating characteristic curve). Elevated admission RAP by percentage of CSA change normalized by discharge ( P<0.05), indicating that this test is significantly responsive to therapeutic interventions. Using the cutoff value of 66% CSA change, normal RAP at discharge had 91% predictive value for patients avoiding 30-day readmission ( P<0.05). Conclusions This bedside ultrasound technique strongly correlates to invasive RAP measurement in ADHF patients, identifies restoration of euvolemia, and is predictive of 30-day ADHF readmission. This tool could help guide inpatient ADHF treatment and may lead to reduced readmissions.

Central venous pressure and ultrasonographic measurement correlation and their associations with intradialytic adverse events in hospitalized patients: A prospective observational study

PURPOSE

To investigate correlation of central venous pressure (CVP) with ultrasonographic measurement of central veins, along with association between these variables and occurrence of intradialytic adverse events in hospitalized patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients requiring hemodialysis via dialysis catheter were prospectively enrolled. CVP measurements through catheter, internal jugular vein aspect ratio, subclavian vein collapsibility, inferior vena cava (IVC) maximal diameter, and IVC collapsibility were recorded before and after hemodialysis. Predictive accuracy of ultrasonographic measurements in discriminating high versus low CVP and their association with intradialytic adverse events were evaluated. Area under receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) were calculated.

RESULTS

Fifty-nine patients were enrolled. Median (interquartile range) pre- and post-dialysis CVPs were 8 (4-13)mmHg and 6 (3-10)mmHg, respectively (P<0.01). In pre-dialysis, IVC collapsibility had the highest AUC (0.79, P<0.01) to predict CVP >8mmHg. In post-dialysis, IVC maximal diameter had the highest AUC (0.86, P<0.01) to predict CVP ≤4mmHg. Fifteen patients (25%) had adverse events. Neither pre-dialytic CVP nor ultrasonographic variables were associated with occurrence of adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

Highest accuracy in predicting low and high CVP was observed with ultrasonographic assessment of IVC diameter and collapsibility. Adverse events were not predicted by pre-dialytic CVP or ultrasonographic measurements.

Sonographic Evaluation of Internal Jugular Vein Diameter and Cross-sectional Area Measurements in Correlation with Left Ventricular End Diastolic Area as a Tool for Perioperative Assessment of Volume Status in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery

Aim:

The aim of this study is to compare the ultrasound estimation of the cross-sectional area (CSA) and diameter of internal jugular vein (IJV) with left ventricular end diastolic area (LVEDA) for the assessment of intravascular volume in pediatric patients during cardiac surgery.

Patients and Methods:

The CSA and diameter of the left IJV were defined, using ultrasound machine, and compared with LVEDA, estimated by transesophageal echo, in four times intervals (immediately after induction [T1], before the start of cardiopulmonary bypass [CPB] [T2], immediately after weaning of CPB [T3], and at the end of surgery before transfer to the Intensive Care Unit [T4]) as a tool for intravascular volume assessment in 16 pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Results:

There was a poor correlation between IJV CSA and diameter with LVEDA. r values were 0.158, 0.265, 0.449, and 0.201 at the four time intervals (T1, T2, T3, and T4), respectively.

Conclusion:

Estimation of the CSA and diameter of the left IJV using ultrasound is not reliable and cannot be used alone to decide further management.

Revisiting a classical clinical sign: jugular venous ultrasound

BACKGROUND

Increased jugular venous pressure, reflecting the increased right atrial pressure, is a classical sign of heart failure (HF) but clinical assessment may be difficult.

METHODS

In ambulatory patients with HF and control subjects, jugular vein diameter (JVD) was measured using a linear high-frequency ultrasound probe (10 MHz) at rest, during a Valsalva manoeuvre and during deep inspiration. JVD ratio was calculated as diameter during Valsalva to that at rest.

RESULTS

211 patients (mean age 70 years; mean left ventricular ejection fraction 43%) and 20 controls were included. JVD (median and inter-quartile [IQR] range) at rest was 0.17 (0.15-0.20) cm in controls and 0.23 (0.17-0.33) cm in patients with HF (p=0.012), JVD ratio was 6.3 (4.3-6.8) in controls and 4.4 (2.7-5.8) in patients with HF (p=0.001).With increasing quartiles of plasma NT-proBNP, JVD at rest rose (0.20 (0.15-0.23) cm, 0.21 (0.16-0.29) cm, 0.25 (0.18-0.35) cm and 0.34 (0.20-0.53) cm (P=<0.001), whilst JVD ratio decreased (5.4 (4.2-6.4), 4.4 (3.5-6.3), 3.9 (2.4-5.4) and 2.8 (1.7-4.7); p=<0.001). JVD ratio correlated with log (NT-proBNP) (r=-0.39, p=<0.001), LV filling pressures (E/E', r=-0.33, p=<0.001) and left atrial volume (r=-0.21, p=0.002). In a multivariable regression model, only trans-tricuspid gradient and TAPSE were independently associated with JVD ratio (R(2)=0.27).

CONCLUSIONS

Distension of the JV at rest relative to the maximum diameter during a Valsalva manoeuvre (JVD ratio) identifies patients with heart failure who have higher plasma NT-proBNP levels, right ventricular dysfunction and raised pulmonary artery pressure.