Hemodynamic Venous Congestion Ultrasound (VExUS) by ICU Nurses in Sepsis Patients.

NCT07406750 | Not Yet Recruiting DMC

• 2 other identifiers: VEXIVAN01CIV-25-05-052654
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 46
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

Sepsis is a serious condition where the body's immune response to infection overreacts, leading to organ damage and death. Venous congestion, a buildup of blood in the veins, can occur in sepsis and contribute to organ injury. VExUS (Venous Excess Ultrasound Score) is an ultrasound method that can detect congestion early. This study examines whether ICU nurses, after training, can perform VExUS reliably, explores their experiences, and investigates links between VExUS findings and clinical outcomes.

Conditions

Sepsis; Sepsis and Septic Shock; Sepsis at Intensive Care Unit; Intensive Care Nurses

Keywords

sepsis; intensive care; ultrasound; venous congestion; VExUS; intensive care nurse

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Intensive care nurses' VExUS performance

  Intensive care nurses' performance, regarding ultrasound image quality and assessment of ultrasound images according to VExUS protocol, evaluated by two experts.

  two years

Secondary Outcomes (6)

• Intra-rater VExUS reliability

  two years

• Inter-rater VExUS reliability

  two years

• Inter-rater VExUS image agreement

  two years

• Venous congestion measured by VExUS and fluid status

  two years

• Venous congestion measured by VExUS and clinical outcomes

  two years

Study Arms (2)

Intensive care nurse

Intensive care nurses that perform hemodynamic diagnostic ultrasound acording to the VExUS protocol

Behavioral: Education in performing hemodynamic diagnostic ultrasound of venous congestion

Intensive care patients

Intensive care patients with sepsis

Diagnostic Test: Hemodynamic diagnostic ultrasound of venous congestion

Interventions

Education in performing hemodynamic diagnostic ultrasound of venous congestion BEHAVIORAL

Educational program in performing hemodynamic diagnostic ultrasound of venous congestion

Intensive care nurse

Hemodynamic diagnostic ultrasound of venous congestion DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Hemodynamic diagnostic ultrasound of venous congestion

Also known as: VeXUS

Intensive care patients

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Intensive care nurses with a specialist degree in intensive care and intensive care patients with sepsis.

You may qualify if:

• Intensive Care Nurses a) Intensive care nurse, specialist degree in intensive care. b) ≥1,5 years of experience in intensive care. c) ≥75% clinical employment rate at the ICU. d) Continued employment until 2026 at the ICU at Örebro University Hospital. e) Written informed consent Intensive Care Patients
• Patients with suspected or verified sepsis according to the Sepsis 3 criteria (suspected or confirmed infection), ≥qSOFA (systolic blood pressure \< 90 mmHg, GCS ≤ 13, respiratory rate ≥ 22 per minute) or rise in SOFA score ≥ 2 points and admitted to the ICU.
• ≥18 years of age.

You may not qualify if:

• Intensive Care Nurses
• a) Personnel with primarily an administration position or less clinical duty at the ICU.
• Intensive Care Patients
• Patients with preexisting liver cirrhosis.
• Pregnancy.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Region Örebro County: lead
• Örebro University, Sweden: collaborator
• Region Östergötland: collaborator
• Dalarna County Council, Sweden: collaborator

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Sepsis; Shock, Septic; Hyperemia

Interventions

Educational Status

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Infections; Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome; Inflammation; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Shock; Vascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Socioeconomic Factors; Population Characteristics

Central Study Contacts

Johanna Savilampi, MD

CONTACT

+46 019 6060266; johanna.savilampi@regionorebrolan.se

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 25, 2025
• First Posted: February 12, 2026
• Study Start: April 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): January 31, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): May 31, 2027
• Last Updated: February 18, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-11

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share