NCT07124741

Prognostic Power of the VEXUS Score in Septic Shock: Effectiveness in Mortality Prediction

Prognostic Power of the VEXUS Score in Septic Shock: Efficacy in Mortality Prediction

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: —
• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 100 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Antalya Training and Research Hospital · Other Government
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study aims to evaluate the prognostic power of the VEXUS Score in predicting mortality among patients with septic shock in intensive care units.

Detailed description

After the diagnosis of septic shock, patients will be assessed for eligibility. Following informed consent, measurements will be taken within the first 4 hours of shock onset, and treatment (inotropic and vasopressor doses, fluid challenge, corticosteroids) will be recorded. A second measurement will occur between 12 and 24 hours, and a third at 72 hours. All treatment and care protocols will be managed according to routine unit protocols. Data will be systematically collected at three time points (0-4 hours, 12-24 hours, and 72 hours). These will include hemodynamic parameters, laboratory tests (including infection markers), need for renal replacement therapy, mechanical ventilation requirement and duration, cumulative dose and duration of vasopressor use, ICU stay, and survival status. VEXUS Score Grading The VEXUS score will be graded as follows: * Grade 0 (No Congestion): No signs of venous congestion are detected. The inferior vena cava (IVC) diameter is less than 2 cm. * Grade 1 (Mild Venous Congestion): The IVC diameter is 2 cm or greater. However, hepatic, portal, or renal vein flow measurements exhibit normal waveform patterns, or only one mildly abnormal waveform pattern is present. * Grade 2 (Moderate Venous Congestion): The IVC diameter is 2 cm or greater. Additionally, analysis of hepatic, portal, or renal vein waveforms reveals one severe congestion finding. * Grade 3 (Severe Venous Congestion): The IVC diameter is 2 cm or greater. Furthermore, analysis of hepatic, portal, or renal vein waveforms shows two or more severe congestion findings. Data will be analyzed using SPSS version 23.0, with normality assessed through visual and analytical methods (Kolmogorov-Smirnov/Shapiro-Wilk tests). Continuous variables will be compared using t-tests or Mann-Whitney U tests, and categorical variables using Chi-square tests. ROC analysis will be used to assess the predictive value of VEXUS for mortality.

Conditions

• Septic Shock
• VExUS

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DIAGNOSTIC_TEST	Serial VEXUS Ultrasound Evaluation	Ultrasound assessments will be performed by an experienced anesthesiologist at three time points (0-4 hours, 12-24 hours, and 72 hours)to determine the degree of venous congestion using the VEXUS Score. No treatment changes will be made based on the VEXUS findings. The scores will solely be used for prognostic correlation with mortality outcomes.

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-03-30
• Primary completion: 2026-06-30
• Completion: 2026-08-01
• First posted: 2025-08-15
• Last updated: 2025-08-15