Pre-operative Ultrasonographic Evaluation of the Internal Jugular Vein Collapsibility Index and Inferior Vena Cava Collapsibility Index to Predict Post Spinal Hypotension in Pregnant Women Undergoing Caesarean Section

Post spinal anesthesia hypotension (PSAH) is frequently encountered in anesthetic practice, especially during cesarean section. Ultrasound is a safe and easy technique for hemodynamic monitoring.

This study was conducted to assess the efficacy of pre-operative inferior vena cava collapsibility index (IVCCI) and internal jugular vein collapsibility index (IJVCI) in predicting PSAH.

This cross-sectional blinded study included 55 pregnant females prepared for elective cesarean section. They were divided into two groups based on the incidence of PSAH: (1) cases with PSAH (26 cases); and (2) cases without PSAH (29 cases). All the cases underwent ultrasound-guided measurement of IVCCI and IJVCI. The efficacy of these parameters was assessed in predicting PSAH.

Cases in both groups expressed non-significant differences regarding demographic data. However, IVCCI had mean values of 38.27 and 23.97%, while IJVCCI had mean values of 46.50 and 33.41%, respectively, in cases with and without PSAH. For IVCCI, using a cut-off point of 33% had sensitivity and specificity (84.6 and 93.1%, respectively) for predicting PSAH, with a diagnostic accuracy of 89.1%. IJVCI had sensitivity and specificity of 84.6 and 82.8%, respectively, for predicting the same complication using a cut-off value of 38.5%.

IVCCI and IJVCI are efficacious and reliable tools in predicting PSAH in pregnant ladies undergoing cesarean section, with a slight superiority for IVCCI regarding specificity and accuracy.