The pulsatile pattern of the portal vein is considered a marker of right ventricular dysfunction, but volemia may also contribute to this phenomenon. The separate influence of each factor remains debated, as the interplay between right ventricular dysfunction and volume status is complex. Additionally, right ventricular dysfunction can originate from either diastolic or systolic dysfunction, further complicating the understanding of their distinct impacts on portal vein pulsatility.
The pulsatile pattern of the portal vein has been recognized as a potential marker of right ventricular dysfunction, reflecting altered hemodynamics in the venous system. However, the role of volemia, or the volume status of a patient, might also significantly influence this pulsatility, complicating the interpretation of portal vein flow patterns. The distinct and combined effects of right ventricular dysfunction and volemia on portal vein pulsatility are still subjects of ongoing debate. Right ventricular dysfunction itself can arise from multiple mechanisms, including primary diastolic dysfunction, where the ventricle has impaired filling and relaxation, or systolic dysfunction, characterized by reduced contractility and ejection capacity. Understanding whether diastolic or systolic dysfunction plays a predominant role in altering portal vein pulsatility is crucial, as these nuances have important implications for accurately identifying the determinants of portal vein pulsatility index and tailoring appropriate clinical interventions.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
60
"Prof CC Iliescu" Emergency Institue for Cardiovascular Diseases
Bucharest, Romania
Fluid Intolerance
A portal vein pulsatility index greater than 50%, calculated as (Vmax - Vmin) / Vmax, with no upper limit and 0% as the minimum limit. Higher values indicate worse outcomes. Ultrasonographic portal spectral waveform was used to measure Vmax and Vmin.
Time frame: Within the first six hours of admission to the intensive care unit (simultaneously with other measures).
Volemia
Volemia will be assessed using the mean systemic filling pressure analogue (MSFPa) proposed by Parkin and Leaning (2008), which estimates the overall volume status and preload of the circulatory system. This measurement provides an indirect evaluation of volemia, reflecting the balance between blood volume and vascular capacity. Higher or lower values can indicate fluid overload or deficit, respectively.
Time frame: Within the first six hours of admission to the intensive care unit (simultaneously with other measures).
Right Ventricular Dysfunction
Right ventricular dysfunction will be assessed using three ancillary measures: Tricuspid Annular Plane Systolic Excursion (TAPSE), Right Ventricular Fractional Area Change (RVFAC), and the Right Ventricular End-Diastolic Area to Left Ventricular End-Diastolic Area ratio (RVEDA/LVEDA). TAPSE measures longitudinal shortening of the right ventricle, RVFAC assesses overall systolic function by evaluating the change in the right ventricular area during the cardiac cycle, and RVEDA/LVEDA compares the size of the right ventricle to the left, indicating potential dilation or pressure overload.
Time frame: Within the first six hours of admission to the intensive care unit (simultaneously with other measures).
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