Brief ReportsThe Use of Internal Jugular Vein Ultrasonography to Anticipate Low or High Central Venous Pressure During Mechanical Ventilation

BackgroundCritically low or high central venous pressure (CVP) values, together with systemic hypotension, can indicate hypovolemia or acute heart failure. However, measuring CVP requires the insertion of a central venous catheter, a time-consuming procedure that can be associated with severe complications.ObjectiveWe sought to evaluate the use of ultrasonography of the internal jugular vein (IJV) to estimate low or high CVP values in patients who were on ventilation.MethodsUltrasonography of IJV dimensions and the collection of hemodynamic data was performed in 47 patients, and the ratio between IJV diameter in the 30° and 0° position was calculated (ratio30/0). The predictive value of ratio30/0 for estimating low and high CVP levels was analyzed using receiver operating characteristic curves.ResultsThe median IJV diameter ratio30/0 was 0.49. CVP ranged from 1 to 13 mm Hg (median 7 mm Hg). Seventeen patients had a CVP ≤ 5 mm Hg or lower (defined as “low”), and in 11 patients, values of ≥ 10 mm Hg were measured (defined as “high”). The corresponding IJV diameter ratios increased significantly from 0.34 (in the low CVP group) to 0.9 (in the high CVP group). Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed a good predictive value of the ratio30/0 for the prediction of low or high CVP values, respectively. A ratio30/0 of < 0.45 optimally indicated a low CVP, while > 0.65 was the cutoff value to detect a CVP ≥ 10 mm Hg.ConclusionThe estimation of low or high CVP values by IJV ultrasonography in different patient positions can be a helpful instrument for the rapid hemodynamic assessment of the critically ill patient.