Evaluation Of Congestion Levels in Septic Patients Admitted to Critical Care Units with a Combined Venous Excess-Lung Ultrasound Score (VExLUS) – a Research Protocol

Abstract

Sepsis is defined as a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection with a high mortality rate. Septic shock is a subset of sepsis with manifest circulatory dysfunction (use of vasopressors and persistent elevation of lactic acid). As stated in literature, in addition to the use of empiric antibiotics and control of the infectious focus, intravenous fluid therapy is an essential intervention to promote hemodynamic stabilization. However, the literature also describes harmful outcomes related to fluid overload. Hemodynamic management in critically ill patients has traditionally focused on maintaining adequate cardiac output and arterial blood pressure by relying on fluid administration and/or vasopressor/inotropic support. However, organ perfusion is affected by other important factors, such as venous pressure, which can be overlooked. The evaluation of lung congestion with point of care ultrasound (POCUS), as a signal of extravascular fluid, and, more recently, a venous excess Doppler ultrasound (VExUS) grading system, are parameters for the assessment of the fluid status of the patient and organ congestion. Our main hypothesis is that adding a modified lung ultrasound score to the VExUS protocol could provide higher sensitivity and earlier identification of fluid overload, guiding the clinician in the decision of fluid administration in patients with sepsis.