Point-of-care ultrasound assessment of the inferior vena cava distensibility index in mechanically ventilated children in the operating room

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Point-of-care ultrasound imaging of the inferior vena cava distensibility index is a potential indicator for determining fluid overload and dehydration in the mechanically ventilated patients. Data on inferior vena cava distensibility index and inferior vena cava distensibility variability are limited in mechanically ventilated pediatric patients. That is why our aim in this study was to measure inferior vena cava distensibility index and to obtain mean values in pediatric patients, ventilated in the operating room before the ambulatory surgical procedure started. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This crosssectional study was performed between February 2019 and February 2020. Ultrasonographic measurements were performed in a total of 125 children. RESULTS: In a period of 13 months, the measurements were performed in a total of 125 children, of which 120 (62.5% male) met the criteria and were included in the study. Overall inferior vena cava distensibility index (%): mean SD: 6.8 4.0, median (min–max): 5.7 (1.4–19.6), IQR: 3.8–8.7. Overall inferior vena cava distensibility variability (%): mean SD: 6.5 3.7, median (min–max): 5.5 (1.4–17.8), IQR: 3.7–8.4. CONCLUSION: Our study is the largest series of children in the literature in which inferior vena cava distensibility index measurements were investigated.