Echocardiography for Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Velocity Time Integral versus Inferior Vena Cava Collapsibility Index as a Predictor to Fluid Responsiveness in Severe Sepsis

Abstract

Abstract Background: Severe sepsis is the most common cause of death for patients admitted to the critical care units. Sepsis is a multifaceted host response to an infecting pathogen that may be significantly amplified by endogenous factors. Sepsis is defined as life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. This emphasizes the primacy of the non-homeostatic host-response to infection, the potential lethality that is considerably in excess of a straightforward infection, and the need for urgent recognition. Aims: The aim of this work is to compare Left ventricular Outflow Tract (LVOT) velocity time Integral (VTI) and inferior Vena Cava (IVC) collapsibility index as a predictor to fluid responsiveness in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock.