Utilizing a novel point of care ultrasound (POCUS) protocol to guide diuresis – A case series

Abstract

Volume assessment is an important, but challenging but crucial aspect of patient care. Fluid balance is affected by volume expansion, sepsis/shock states, cardiac and kidney failure and is present in the majority of patients. Similarly, in critically ill patients on diuretics, both excessive and inadequate diuresis can worsen outcomes.Chest X-ray (CXR) and auscultation are poorly predictive of volume status, while bioimpedance and blood volume monitoring have limitations at the bedside [4]. Inferior vena cava (IVC) diameter as measured by POCUS is a marker of intravascular volume that can provide a real-time assessment to guide diuresis.The Reverse Falls Protocol combines lung and IVC US to enable the clinician to visualize, in real-time, the patient's intravascular and extravascular volume and to set diuresis goals. We present a series of cases where euvolemia was achieved using the principles described by O'Hara, Chabra & Ahmad's Reverse Falls Protocol.