Venous Congestion and Renal Outcomes in Septic Shock
VEXUS
1
PURPOSE
The goals of the study are to determine how common venous congestion is in sepsis patients, whether it contributes to worse outcomes, and what patient characteristics, such as age, severity of illness, or the amount of fluid received, are linked to its development.
By using bedside Doppler ultrasound to monitor blood flow in key veins, the team hopes to detect early signs of harmful fluid buildup and ultimately improve how fluids are managed in critically ill patients.
2
PROGRESS
110
250
patients enrolled
(as of Sept. 2025)
3
FUTURE
If the study confirms that venous congestion is a reliable early warning sign of kidney injury, it could pave the way for new clinical guidelines on fluid management in septic shock.
This would support more personalized treatment strategies using real-time ultrasound findings, encourage broader use of POCUS in ICUs, and inspire further research into how venous congestion impacts other organs. Ultimately, these advancements could help reduce complications and improve survival for patients with severe infections.
What is VEXUS?
VEXUS is focused on patients with septic shock, a life-threatening condition caused by severe infections. While fluids are often given quickly to help stabilize these patients, too much fluid can sometimes harm organs like the kidneys. This study is exploring whether venous congestion might be a warning sign of kidney problems in these patients.
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Why is this important?
Septic shock is a major cause of death in hospitals. We need better tools to guide treatment and avoid complications. If venous congestion can be used to predict kidney injury, it could inform decision making about fluid therapy and improve outcomes.
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What is involved in the study?
The researchers will use POCUS to look at blood flow in key veins near the heart, liver, and kidneys. These scans will be done within the first 16 hours of septic shock diagnosis and again after 2-3 days. The research team will then collect data and evaluate whether venous congestion is linked to worse outcomes.
