Evaluation of Venous Congestion Using Beside Ultrasonography by the Nephrology Consultant: The VExUS Nexus

In patients with heart failure and cardiorenal syndrome, lingering congestion is associated with worse outcomes. As such, titrating diuretic or ultrafiltration therapy based on objective assessment of volume status plays a crucial role in the management of these patients. Conventional physical examination findings and parameters such as daily weight measurement are not always reliable in this setting. Recently, point of care ultrasonography (POCUS) has emerged as an attractive enhancement to bedside clinical examination in assessing fluid volume status. Specifically, Doppler ultrasound of the major abdominal veins gives additional information about end-organ congestion when used in conjunction with inferior vena cava ultrasound. Moreover, these Doppler waveforms can be monitored in real time to gauge the efficacy of decongestive therapy. Herein, we present a case that illustrates the utility of POCUS in the management of a patient with heart failure exacerbation.