The Role of Ultrasonographic Inferior Vena Cava Measurement in the Volume‐Based Classification of Patients With Hyponatremia

Abstract

ObjectivesTo demonstrate the role of inferior vena cava (IVC) collapsibility in the assessment of volume status in hyponatremic critically ill patients in the emergency department (ED) with bedside IVC imaging and to predict volume status with response to fluid therapy.MethodsA prospective 110 hypotonic hyponatremic patients aged >18 years with a serum sodium level under 125 mEq/L and at least one symptom of hyponatremia, who presented or referred to the ED was conducted. Demographical, clinical, and laboratory characteristics with bedside measurement of IVC diameter of patients were recorded. Volume status was divided into 3 subgroups: hypovolemic‐G1, euvolemic‐G2, and hypervolemic‐G3. An ED trainee with a certification to perform basic and advanced ultrasonography (USG) training carried out the USG examinations. A diagnostic algorithm approach was made according to the results.ResultsSymptom severity was significantly greater in the hypervolemic group than the other groups (P = .009 and P = .034, respectively). Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were significantly lower in the hypovolemic group compared with the other groups (P < .001 and P = .003, respectively). There was a significant difference between the ultrasonographically measured IVC min, IVC max, and mean IVC values across the three volume‐based groups (P < .001).ConclusionConsidering the diversity of physical examination (PE) findings, with the highly heterogenous nature of hyponatremia, a new measurable algorithm can be developed on the basis of contemporary hyponatremic patient management guidelines.