MedTrace Logo

Detection and Management of Non-Compressible Hemorrhage by Vena Cava Ultrasonography

NCT01989273 · Status: COMPLETED · Type: OBSERVATIONAL · Enrollment: 121

Last updated 2018-07-11

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

This is a study of patients admitted with major traumatic injuries. Such patients may develop inadequate circulation to the organs as a result of internal blood loss. Early detection of internal blood loss can be difficult as physical examination alone may miss patients with significant blood loss. Some patients with internal bleeding will arrive with low blood pressure; these patients are usually given 2 liters of intravenous fluid to determine if their blood pressure will recover. If the blood pressure does not rise or if it drops again later, the blood loss can be assumed to be severe, and the patient will likely need transfusions, surgery and other interventions. However, this fluid treatment method can lead to delays and complications as some patients may initially respond but then continue to bleed. The inferior vena cava (IVC) is the large vein draining blood from the lower body to the heart. The inferior vena cava is known to empty when the patient has had significant blood loss. The vena cava diameter can be seen using ultrasound. This study intends to perform ultrasound to examine the vena cava diameter on patients just after arriving with major trauma. The hypothesis of the proposed study is that an ultrasound assessment protocol of inferior vena cava diameter and collapsibility can detect and aid management of non-compressible hemorrhage in major trauma victims. After the patient has been given the 2 liter intravenous fluid treatment, the inferior vena cava diameter will be measured again. A third examination 8-24 hours after admission will determine if the inferior vena cava diameter has returned to normal. We propose that measuring the inferior vena cava in this manner can predict those patients who are likely to continue bleeding and require interventions such as surgery. Early detection in these patients may avoid delays in treatment, complications and excess mortality. Because this examination is done with handheld ultrasound machines, it could be done outside hospitals and in military combat casualty care.

Conditions

Interventions

DEVICE

Ultrasound of inferior vena cava

Sponsors & Collaborators

Principal Investigators

  • Jay J Doucet, MD · University of California, San Diego

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2012-08-31
Primary Completion
2018-03-01
Completion
2018-03-01

Countries

  • United States

Study Locations

More Related Trials

Entities

Diseases
Companies

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT01989273 on ClinicalTrials.gov