Name: image acquisition method for the sonographic assessment of the inferior vena cava
Uploaded: 2023-01-13T14:50:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Image Acquisition Method for the Sonographic Assessment of the Inferior Vena Cava at JoVE.com

The authors have no acknowledgments.

All procedures performed in the studies involving human participants were conducted in accordance with the ethical standards of the Duke University Health System Institutional Research Committee and with the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. The protocol was performed using input from several peer-reviewed papers in the academic literature2,13,14,1...

<ol>
	<li>Hashim, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+utility+of+point+of+care+ultrasonography+(POCUS).">The utility of point of care ultrasonography (POCUS).</a> Annals of Medicine and Surgery. 71, 102982 (2021).</li><li>Finnerty, N. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Inferior+vena+cava+measurement+with+ultrasound:+What+is+the+best+view+and+best+mode.">Inferior vena cava measurement with ultrasound: What is the best view and best mode.</a> The Western Journal of Emergency Medicine. 18 (3), 496-501 (2017).</li><li>Aslan, Y., Arslan, G., Saracoglu, K. T., Eler Cevik, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+effect+of+ultrasonographic+measurement+of+vena+cava+inferior+diameter+on+the+prediction+of+post-spinal+hypotension+in+geriatric+patients+undergoing+spinal+anaesthesia.">The effect of ultrasonographic measurement of vena cava inferior diameter on the prediction of post-spinal hypotension in geriatric patients undergoing spinal anaesthesia.</a> International Journal of Clinical Practice. 75 (10), 14622 (2021).</li><li>Vander Mullen, J., Wise, R., Vermeulen, G., Moonen, P. J., Malbrain, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Assessment+of+hypovolaemia+in+the+critically+ill.">Assessment of hypovolaemia in the critically ill.</a> Anaesthesiology Intensive Therapy. 50 (2), 141-149 (2018).</li><li>Orso, D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Accuracy+of+ultrasonographic+measurements+of+inferior+vena+cava+to+determine+fluid+responsiveness:+A+systematic+review+and+meta-analysis.">Accuracy of ultrasonographic measurements of inferior vena cava to determine fluid responsiveness: A systematic review and meta-analysis.</a> Journal of Intensive Care Medicine. 35 (4), 354-363 (2020).</li><li>Caplan, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Measurement+site+of+inferior+vena+cava+diameter+affects+the+accuracy+with+which+fluid+responsiveness+can+be+predicted+in+spontaneously+breathing+patients:+A+post+hoc+analysis+of+two+prospective+cohorts.">Measurement site of inferior vena cava diameter affects the accuracy with which fluid responsiveness can be predicted in spontaneously breathing patients: A post hoc analysis of two prospective cohorts.</a> Annals of Intensive Care. 10 (1), 168 (2020).</li><li>Griffin, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Inferior+vena+cava+diameter+measurement+provides+distinct+and+complementary+information+to+right+atrial+pressure+in+acute+decompensated+heart+failure.">Inferior vena cava diameter measurement provides distinct and complementary information to right atrial pressure in acute decompensated heart failure.</a> Journal of Cardiac Failure. 28 (7), 1217-1221 (2022).</li><li>Mugloo, M. M., Malik, S., Akhtar, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Echocardiographic+inferior+vena+cava+measurement+as+an+alternative+to+central+venous+pressure+measurement+in+neonates.">Echocardiographic inferior vena cava measurement as an alternative to central venous pressure measurement in neonates.</a> Indian Journal of Pediatrics. 84 (10), 751-756 (2017).</li><li>Namendys-Silva, S. A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Usefulness+of+ultrasonographic+measurement+of+the+diameter+of+the+inferior+vena+cava+to+predict+responsiveness+to+intravascular+fluid+administration+in+patients+with+cancer.">Usefulness of ultrasonographic measurement of the diameter of the inferior vena cava to predict responsiveness to intravascular fluid administration in patients with cancer.</a> Proceedings. 29 (4), 374-377 (2016).</li><li>Via, G., Tavazzi, G., Price, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ten+situations+where+inferior+vena+cava+ultrasound+may+fail+to+accurately+predict+fluid+responsiveness:+A+physiologically+based+point+of+view.">Ten situations where inferior vena cava ultrasound may fail to accurately predict fluid responsiveness: A physiologically based point of view.</a> Intensive Care Medicine. 42 (7), 1164-1167 (2016).</li><li>Lee, C. W., Kory, P. D., Arntfield, R. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Development+of+a+fluid+resuscitation+protocol+using+inferior+vena+cava+and+lung+ultrasound.">Development of a fluid resuscitation protocol using inferior vena cava and lung ultrasound.</a> Journal of Critical Care. 31 (1), 96-100 (2016).</li><li>Ruge, M., Marhefka, G. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=IVC+measurement+for+the+noninvasive+evaluation+of+central+venous+pressure.">IVC measurement for the noninvasive evaluation of central venous pressure.</a> Journal of Echocardiography. 20 (3), 133-143 (2022).</li><li>Privratsky, J. R., Schroder, V. T., Hashmi, N., Bronshteyn, Y. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Initial+evaluation+for+low-pressure+cardiac+tamponade+using+focused+cardiac+ultrasound.">Initial evaluation for low-pressure cardiac tamponade using focused cardiac ultrasound.</a> A&amp;A Practice. 11 (12), 356-358 (2018).</li><li>Rudski, L. G., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Guidelines+for+the+echocardiographic+assessment+of+the+right+heart+in+adults:+a+report+from+the+American+Society+of+Echocardiography+endorsed+by+the+European+Association+of+Echocardiography,+a+registered+branch+of+the+European+Society+of+Cardiology,+and+the+Canadian+Society+of+Echocardiography.">Guidelines for the echocardiographic assessment of the right heart in adults: a report from the American Society of Echocardiography endorsed by the European Association of Echocardiography, a registered branch of the European Society of Cardiology, and the Canadian Society of Echocardiography.</a> Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography. 23 (7), 685-713 (2010).</li><li>Blehar, D. J., Resop, D., Chin, B., Dayno, M., Gaspari, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Inferior+vena+cava+displacement+during+respirophasic+ultrasound+imaging.">Inferior vena cava displacement during respirophasic ultrasound imaging.</a> Critical Ultrasound Journal. 4 (1), 18 (2012).</li><li>Kisslo, J., vonRamm, O. T., Thurstone, F. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cardiac+imaging+using+a+phased+array+ultrasound+system.+II.+Clinical+technique+and+application.">Cardiac imaging using a phased array ultrasound system. II. Clinical technique and application.</a> Circulation. 53 (2), 262-267 (1976).</li><li>vonRamm, O. T., Thurstone, F. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cardiac+imaging+using+a+phased+array+ultrasound+system.+I.+System+design.">Cardiac imaging using a phased array ultrasound system. I. System design.</a> Circulation. 53 (2), 258-262 (1976).</li><li>Via, G., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=International+evidence-based+recommendations+for+focused+cardiac+ultrasound.">International evidence-based recommendations for focused cardiac ultrasound.</a> Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography. 27 (7), 1-33 (2014).</li><li>Bhardwaj, V., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Combination+of+inferior+vena+cava+diameter,+hepatic+venous+flow,+and+portal+vein+pulsatility+index:+Venous+excess+ultrasound+score+(VEXUS+score)+in+predicting+acute+kidney+injury+in+patients+with+cardiorenal+syndrome:+A+prospective+cohort+study.">Combination of inferior vena cava diameter, hepatic venous flow, and portal vein pulsatility index: Venous excess ultrasound score (VEXUS score) in predicting acute kidney injury in patients with cardiorenal syndrome: A prospective cohort study.</a> Indian Journal of Critical Care Medicine. 24 (9), 783-789 (2020).</li><li>Klein, A. L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=American+Society+of+Echocardiography+clinical+recommendations+for+multimodality+cardiovascular+imaging+of+patients+with+pericardial+disease:+Endorsed+by+the+Society+for+Cardiovascular+Magnetic+Resonance+and+Society+of+Cardiovascular+Computed+Tomography.">American Society of Echocardiography clinical recommendations for multimodality cardiovascular imaging of patients with pericardial disease: Endorsed by the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance and Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography.</a> Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography. 26 (9), 965-1012 (2013).</li><li>Au, A. K., Matthew Fields, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ultrasound+measurement+of+inferior+vena+cava+collapse+predicts+propofol+induced+hypotension.">Ultrasound measurement of inferior vena cava collapse predicts propofol induced hypotension.</a> American Journal of Emergency Medicine. 35 (3), 508-509 (2017).</li><li>Szab&#243;, M., Boz&#243;, A., Darvas, K., Horv&#225;th, A., Iv&#225;nyi, Z. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Role+of+inferior+vena+cava+collapsibility+index+in+the+prediction+of+hypotension+associated+with+general+anesthesia:+An+observational+study.">Role of inferior vena cava collapsibility index in the prediction of hypotension associated with general anesthesia: An observational study.</a> BMC Anesthesiology. 19 (1), 139 (2019).</li><li>Chaudhry, S. R., Nahian, A., Chaudhry, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Anatomy,+Abdomen+and+Pelvis,+Pelvis.">Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis, Pelvis.</a> StatPearls. , (2022).</li><li>Abdomen. POCUSMedEd Available from: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.pocusmeded.com/abdominal">https://www.pocusmeded.com/abdominal</a> (2022)</li><li>Do not mistake aorta for the IVC. NephroPOCUS Available from: <a target="_blank" href="https://nephropocus.com/2020/05/14/do-not-mistake-aorta-for-the-ivc/">https://nephropocus.com/2020/05/14/do-not-mistake-aorta-for-the-ivc/</a> (2022)</li><li>Pinsky, M. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cardiopulmonary+interactions:+Physiologic+basis+and+clinical+applications.">Cardiopulmonary interactions: Physiologic basis and clinical applications.</a> Annals of the American Thoracic Society. 15, 45-48 (2018).</li><li>Levitov, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Guidelines+for+the+appropriate+use+of+bedside+general+and+cardiac+ultrasonography+in+the+evaluation+of+critically+ill+patients-Part+II:+Cardiac+ultrasonography.">Guidelines for the appropriate use of bedside general and cardiac ultrasonography in the evaluation of critically ill patients-Part II: Cardiac ultrasonography.</a> Critical Care Medicine. 44 (6), 1206-1227 (2016).</li><li>Kaptein, M. J., Kaptein, E. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Inferior+vena+cava+collapsibility+index:+Clinical+validation+and+application+for+assessment+of+relative+intravascular+volume.">Inferior vena cava collapsibility index: Clinical validation and application for assessment of relative intravascular volume.</a> Advances in Chronic Kidney Disease. 28 (3), 218-226 (2021).</li><li>Wallace, D. J., Allison, M., Stone, M. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Inferior+vena+cava+percentage+collapse+during+respiration+is+affected+by+the+sampling+location:+An+ultrasound+study+in+healthy+volunteers.">Inferior vena cava percentage collapse during respiration is affected by the sampling location: An ultrasound study in healthy volunteers.</a> Academic Emergency Medicine. 17 (1), 96-99 (2010).</li><li>Yamaguchi, Y., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ultrasound+assessment+of+the+inferior+vena+cava+in+children:+A+comparison+of+sub-xiphoid+and+right+lateral+coronal+views.">Ultrasound assessment of the inferior vena cava in children: A comparison of sub-xiphoid and right lateral coronal views.</a> Journal of Clinical Ultrasound. 50 (4), 575-580 (2022).</li><li>Yamanoglu, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+value+of+the+inferior+vena+cava+ultrasound+in+the+decision+to+hospitalise+in+patients+with+acute+decompensated+heart+failure;+The+best+sonographic+measurement+method.">The value of the inferior vena cava ultrasound in the decision to hospitalise in patients with acute decompensated heart failure; The best sonographic measurement method.</a> Acta Cardiologica. 76 (3), 245-257 (2021).</li><li>Kulkarni, A. 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Even when properly imaged, information garnered from the IVC should not be the sole data point used for guiding treatment. The exact same IVC size and respirophasic changes can be seen in both normal states and in pathologic conditions. Therefore, the clinical context is critically important for guiding how to interpret the IVC data. Further, when using ultrasound to assess a patient&#39;s intravascular volume status, the published literature is mixed as to what thresholds of IVC size and respirophasic change accurately ...

Over the last several decades, the accessibility of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has increased dramatically. Providers across medical disciplines can now integrate POCUS into their bedside exams and more readily identify important contributors to patients&#39; conditions1. For example, in acute care settings, one of the most important areas of focus is the assessment and management of volume status2. Inadequate fluid resuscitation can result in tissue hypoperfusion, end-organ dysfunction, and severe acid-base abnormalities. However, overzealous fluid administration is associated with worsened mortality3. The determination of volume status has primarily been accomplished using the combination&#160;of physical exam findings and dynamic hemodynamic measures, including pulse pressure variation, central venous pressure, and/or fluid challenges via either passive leg-raise testing or intravenous fluid boluses4. With the growing availability of POCUS devices, some providers are seeking to use ultrasound imaging to supplement these measures5. The sonographic assessment of the anterior-to-posterior dimension of the IVC and the respirophasic change in that dimension can assist in the assessment of right atrial pressure and, possibly, intravascular volume status6,7,8,9.
Notably, however, the relationship between IVC parameters (i.e., size and respirophasic change) and volume responsiveness is distorted in many common situations, including but not limited to, the following: (1) passively ventilated patients receiving either high positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) or low tidal volumes; (2) spontaneously breathing patients making either small or large respiratory effort; (3) lung hyperinflation; (4) conditions impairing venous return (e.g., right ventricular dysfunction, tension pneumothorax, cardiac tamponade, etc.); and (5) increased abdominal compart pressure10.
While the utility of IVC sonography as a standalone measure for assessing the intravascular volume status is debated5,10,11,12, there is no debate about the fact that its use as a diagnostic tool requires imaging in standardized ways and the ability to utilize alternative views when a single vantage point proves to be inadequate2. Toward this end, this manuscript defines the four sonographic views of the IVC, illustrates common sonographic pitfalls and how to avoid them, and provides examples of both typical and extreme IVC sonographic states. There are four views in which the IVC can be adequately visualized by transabdominal sonography: anterior short-axis, anterior long-axis, right lateral long-axis, and right lateral short-axis. The protocol below describes a standardized method of image acquisition.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Edge 1 ultrasound machine</td>
			<td>SonoSite</td>
			<td>n/a</td>
			<td>Used to obtain all adequate and inadequate images/clips</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

image acquisition method for the sonographic assessment of the inferior vena cava

Over the past several decades, clinicians have incorporated several applications of diagnostic point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) into medical decision-making. Among the applications of POCUS, imaging the inferior vena cava (IVC) is practiced by a wide variety of specialties, such as nephrology, emergency medicine, internal medicine, critical care, anesthesiology, pulmonology, and cardiology. Although each specialty uses IVC data in slightly different ways, most medical specialties, at minimum, attempt to use IVC data to make predictions about intravascular volume status. While the relationship between IVC sonographic data and intravascular volume status is complex and highly context-dependent, all clinicians should collect the sonographic data in standardized ways to ensure repeatability. This paper describes standardized IVC image acquisition including patient positioning, transducer selection, probe placement, image optimization, and the pitfalls and limitations of IVC sonographic imaging.&#160;This paper also describes the commonly performed anterior IVC long-axis view and three other views of the IVC that can each provide helpful diagnostic information when the anterior long-axis view is difficult to obtain or interpret.

Adequate exam 
There is no single caliber or respirophasic behavior of the IVC that can be considered universally normal in all circumstances. For instance, the IVC seen in Videos 1-4 and Figure 3 was imaged in a healthy, hydrated male experiencing no acute illness. However, notably, this patient&#39;s &#34;normal&#34; IVC has a relatively large AP diameter, &#62;2 cm in the ANT IVC LAX view, and shows minimal respiroph...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Image Acquisition Method for the Sonographic Assessment of the Inferior Vena Cava at JoVE.com

Image Acquisition Method for the Sonographic Assessment of the Inferior Vena Cava

Point-of-care ultrasound evaluation of the inferior vena cava (IVC) is commonly utilized to identify, among other things, the volume status. Imaging should be performed systematically to ensure repeatability. This manuscript reviews the methods and pitfalls of sonographic IVC examination.

Over the past several decades, clinicians have incorporated several applications of diagnostic point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) into medical ...

To assess the inferior vena cava, aka the IVC, sonographically, currently, clinicians use a wide variety of techniques. To address this variability and heterogeneity, this protocol offers a systematic IVC ultrasound image acquisition approach. This technique has built-in safeguards to minimize common pitfalls and prioritizes the least technically challenging views first, allowing the operator the greatest chance of obtaining an adequate exam efficiently.In patients with shock of unknown etiology, it can be helpful to screen for extremes of IVC size and respirophasic change to narrow the differential diagnosis. However, accurate interpretation of the IVC requires sidestepping important pitfalls in image acquisition, which this protocol is specifically designed to address. New providers often struggle with misidentification of the aorta as the inferior vena cava and misidentification of pseudo collapsibility as true IVC respirophasic change.These errors can be minimized by consistently obtaining both long and short axis views of the IVC during each exam. For individuals over one year of age, visualize the IVC with any low frequency ultrasound transducer, such as a linear phased array sector arc probe or a curvilinear probe. Set the machine to the cardiology convention using the cardiac preset function, which is present as an indicator on the right of the screen, and confirm that the screen refresh rate is at least 20 hertz.Then set the mode to B Mode and the depth to 6 to 20 centimeters, depending on the IVC depth in each patient. Apply ultrasound gel to the transducer. To obtain the anterior IVC short axis view, position the patient in the supine position with both hips flexed if tolerated by the patient.Obtain the lateral IVC short axis view. Place the ultrasound probe centered on the patient's anterior midline, just caudal to the xiphoid process in the coronal plane with the transducer indicator mark pointing toward the patient's left. Adjust the depth so that the IVC and aorta appear in the middle third of the screen and the spine is visible.To set the axis, fan the ultrasound beam cranially or caudally until the IVC and the abdominal aorta appears in the short axis cross section as rounded structures. Decrease the gain until the blood in the IVC is either completely black or just a few specs of gray are visible. Once all the settings are done, click on Acquire.Next, obtain the anterior IVC long axis view by positioning the patient and the probe as demonstrated earlier and center the view on the IVC. Then rotate the ultrasound probe 90 degrees counterclockwise without translating the probe such that the probe's indicator faces cranially at the end of the rotation. Adjust the depth so that the IVC appears in the middle third of the screen and the liver tissue is visible deeper than the IVC.To set the axis, fan the ultrasound beam toward the patient's left or right until the IVC appears rectangular, intrahepatic structure spanning from cranial to caudal. Now decrease the gain until the blood in the IVC is either completely black or just a few specs of gray are visible. Once all the settings are done, click on Acquire.To quantify the IVC anterior to posterior diameter choose a live optimized image of the IVC, click on Freeze, and click on Caliper or Measure depending on the machine's measurement button. Then move the track ball to the anterior wall of the IVC approximately one to two centimeters caudal from the hepatic vein confluence, and click on Select. Move the track ball to the posterior wall of the IVC such that the line between the two points is roughly perpendicular to the long axis of the IVC.Click on Select and then click on Acquire. Now obtain the right lateral IVC long axis view by positioning the patient in the supine position with the legs flat and the right arm moved away from the patient's side, either overhead or outstretched laterally, to allow access to the right flank. Place the probe transducer in the coronal plane with the indicator pointing cranially in the sixth or seventh right intercostal space anteriorly to the right midaxillary line.Adjust the depth so that the IVC appears in the middle third of the screen and the liver tissue is visible deeper than the IVC. To set the axis, fan the ultrasound beam anteriorly or posteriorly until the IVC is visualized as a rectangular intrahepatic structure spanning from cranial to caudal on the screen. Decrease the gain until the blood in the IVC is either completely black or just a few specks of gray are visible.Click on Acquire. To obtain the right lateral IVC short axis view, position the patient and the probe as demonstrated earlier for the lateral IVC long axis view. Then rotate the probe 90 degrees clockwise so that the probe indicator mark is pointing anteriorly.Adjust the depth so that the IVC appears in the middle third of the screen and the liver tissue, aorta, and spine are all visible deeper than the IVC. For setting the axis, fan the ultrasound beam cranially or caudally until the IVC and abdominal aorta are visible in the short axis view as rounded structures. Decrease the gain until the blood in the IVC is either completely black or just a few specks of gray are visible.Click on Acquire. An adequate exam permits the visualization of the IVC. An inadequate exam is one in which the IVC is not visible or the IVC appears to show respirophasic change only in the long axis plane.Following this procedure, you should document your findings, incorporate them into the clinical context, and decide on any modifications to patient management. The literature on sonographic assessment of the IVC is plagued with conflicting findings. By standardizing image acquisition, this review may help determine whether these conflicts are due to heterogeneity of image acquisition or due to other factors.

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A Rat Model of Orthotopic Liver Transplantation Using a Novel Magnetic Anastomosis Technique for Suprahepatic Vena Cava Reconstruction

The rat model of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is essential for transplant research. It is a very sophisticated animal model and requires a steep ...

'Boden Food Plate': Novel Interactive Web-based Method for the Assessment of Dietary Intake

Different methods can be used in research to assess dietary intake, many of which are still paper-based. Written estimated food diaries are often utilized ...

Image Acquisition using Portable Sonography for Emergency Airway Management

With its increasing popularity and accessibility, portable ultrasonography has been rapidly adapted not only to improve the perioperative care of ...

Troubleshooting FoCUS Image Acquisition: Patient Positioning, Transducer Manipulation, and Image Optimization

Focused cardiac ultrasound (FoCUS) is a limited, clinician-performed application of echocardiography to add real-time information to patient care. These ...

A Modified Sonographic Algorithm for Image Acquisition in Life-Threatening Emergencies in the Critically Ill Newborn

The use of routine point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is increasing in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), with several centers advocating for 24 h ...