Ultraschall Med 2025; 46(S 01): S22
DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1812225
Abstracts
Posterbeiträge

Ultrasound of internal jugular vein for hydration status assessment – a methodological analysis in healthy volunteers

Authors

  • K Vogt

    1   Universitätsspital Basel, Endokrinologie, Diabetes und Metabolismus, Basel, Schweiz
    2   Universitätsspital Basel, Notfallzentrum, Basel, Schweiz

  • D Widmer

    2   Universitätsspital Basel, Notfallzentrum, Basel, Schweiz

  • M Kirsch

    3   Universitätsspital Basel, Innere Medizin, Basel, Schweiz

  • L Potasso

    1   Universitätsspital Basel, Endokrinologie, Diabetes und Metabolismus, Basel, Schweiz
    4   Universität Basel, Departement Klinische Forschung, Basel, Schweiz
    5   Kantonsspital Baselland, Endokrinologie und Diabetologie, Baselland, Schweiz
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Background Non-invasive hydration status assessment represents a common clinical challenge. Ultrasound (US) of internal jugular vein (IJV), measuring ultrasound jugular venous pressure (uJVP) as a surrogate for central venous pressure, offers a potential approach. However, the literature lacks a univocal method for IJV-US.

Methods In this cross-sectional study, 4 IJV-US methods described in the literature were compared in healthy volunteers. Head-of-bed elevation was individualized to minimize confounding factors, rather than being fixed at 30° or 45°. Methods 1 and 2 used transverse view, measuring IJV-height in relation to sternal angle where IJV is (1) smaller than common carotid artery or (2) completely collapsed throughout the respiratory cycle. Method 3 used longitudinal view, measuring at the tip (3a) or the base (3b) of the IJV taper. To calculate uJVP, 5cm were added.

Each US assessment was conducted by 2 independent, blinded investigators. Endpoints were a) proportion of participants with measurements differing>1 standard deviation (SD) from the mean found in previous studies (6.5±1.5cm), b) feasibility and c) interrater agreement of each method ([Abb. 1]).

Zoom
Abb. 1  IJV-US, methods 1-3b: definition of IJV height (A=Common Carotid Artery, V=Internal Jugular Vein)

Results 30 participants (50% females) were included. Head-of-bed elevation was≤20° in 83% of cases. Median uJVP (IQR) was 3.8cm (3.0-4.0), 4.5cm (3.8-5.3), 3.9cm (3.3-4.5), and 3.3cm (2.8-3.5) for methods 1-3b. uJVP differed>1 SD in 57%, 29%, 52% and 83% of cases, respectively. Assessment was feasible in 100% of cases for methods 1 and 3b, 97% for method 3a and 47% for method 2. Median duration for all methods was 29.5s-38.5s. Interrater agreement for methods 1-3b was 60%, 23%, 63% and 83%.

Conclusion Method 3b showed the highest feasibility and interrater agreement. All methods were well tolerated and quick. uJVP measurements were lower than those reported in the literature, possibly due to the individualized head-of-bed positioning, raising questions about the normal values currently used.



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Artikel online veröffentlicht:
16. Oktober 2025

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