Pre-operative Ultrasonographic Evaluation of the Internal Jugular Vein Collapsibility Index and Inferior Vena Cava Collapsibility Index to Predict Post Spinal Hypotension in Pregnant Women Undergoing Caesarean Section

BACKGROUND: Post spinal anesthesia hypotension (PSAH) is frequently encountered in anesthetic practice, especially during cesarean section. Ultrasound is a safe and easy technique for hemodynamic monitoring. OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to assess the efficacy of pre-operative inferior vena cava collapsibility index (IVCCI) and internal jugular vein collapsibility index (IJVCI) in predicting PSAH. METHODS: This cross-sectional blinded study included 55 pregnant females prepared for elective cesarean section. They were divided into two groups based on the incidence of PSAH: (1) cases with PSAH (26 cases); and (2) cases without PSAH (29 cases). All the cases underwent ultrasound-guided measurement of IVCCI and IJVCI. The efficacy of these parameters was assessed in predicting PSAH. RESULTS: Cases in both groups expressed non-significant differences regarding demographic data. However, IVCCI had mean values of 38.27 and 23.97%, while IJVCCI had mean values of 46.50 and 33.41%, respectively, in cases with and without PSAH. For IVCCI, using a cut-off point of 33% had sensitivity and specificity (84.6 and 93.1%, respectively) for predicting PSAH, with a diagnostic accuracy of 89.1%. IJVCI had sensitivity and specificity of 84.6 and 82.8%, respectively, for predicting the same complication using a cut-off value of 38.5%. CONCLUSION: IVCCI and IJVCI are efficacious and reliable tools in predicting PSAH in pregnant ladies undergoing cesarean section, with a slight superiority for IVCCI regarding specificity and accuracy.