title: Early diagnosis of hypovolemic shock by sonographic measurement of inferior vena cava in trauma patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The diameter of the inferior vena cava in trauma patients may be useful for evaluating hypovolemia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between June 2003 and September 2003, 35 injured patients transferred to the authors' hospital were prospectively investigated. They were divided into two groups: a shock group (n = 10) and a control group (n = 25). The maximum anteroposterior diameter of the inferior vena cava was measured using a sonography at arrival and on hospital day 5.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average diameter of the inferior vena cava in the shock group was significantly smaller than in the control group. There was no significant change in the diameter of the inferior vena cava in the control group, but significant change was seen in the shock group between arrival and hospital day 5.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The diameter of the inferior vena cava was found to correlate with hypovolemia in trauma patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Traumatology and Critical Care Medicine, National Defense Medical College, Namiki Tokorozawa Saitama, Japan.
authors.forename: Youichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yanagawa
authors.forename: Kouichirou
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nishi
authors.forename: Toshihisa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sakamoto
authors.forename: Yoshiaki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Okada
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012769:Shock / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000150:complications*