Study of Venous Congestion and Microcirculation Using Ultrasound in ICU Patients After Planned or Urgent Cardiac Surgery

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating the relationship between venous congestion and microcirculatory impairment in patients who have undergone elective or urgent cardiac surgery and are staying in the intensive care unit ICU postoperatively. The study aims to understand whether ultrasound signs of venous congestion, detected by tools like the Vexus score and femoral vein Doppler, are linked to problems in the tiny blood vessels that deliver oxygen and nutrients to body tissues. This is important because current monitoring often focuses on larger blood flow measures, which may not reflect true tissue health. The study involves observing patients after non-emergency cardiac surgery using ultrasound-based assessments of venous congestion alongside advanced imaging of microcirculation under the tongue with handheld vital microscopy and automated software. Measurements will be taken at three time points before surgery, on the first day after surgery, and six hours after that to compare differences in blood flow velocity and vessel density between patients with and without signs of venous congestion. Participants will undergo these assessments during their ICU stay, including ultrasound exams and microcirculation analysis. Researchers will monitor changes in small vessel blood flow and density, comparing results based on ultrasound indicators. The study will track these measures at specified time points to evaluate the link between venous congestion and microvascular function. The total participation duration depends on the timing of surgery and follow-up within the ICU period.

Association of Microcirculation, Vexus Score and Femoral Vein Doppler in Patients on the ICU After Non-emergency Cardiac Surgery