Portal and Splenic Venous Pulsatility in Postoperative Critically Ill Patients

NCT07826481 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: DrNegrinUH0001
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 60
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

Venous congestion is common in critically ill postoperative patients and may be associated with adverse outcomes. Doppler ultrasound assessment of venous flow patterns, including portal venous pulsatility, is increasingly used to evaluate systemic venous congestion. This prospective observational study aims to determine the correlation between portal venous pulsatility and splenic venous pulsatility measured by Doppler ultrasound in adult patients admitted to a postoperative intensive care unit. The study will evaluate whether splenic venous pulsatility may provide additional information for the assessment of venous congestion. Ultrasound examinations will be performed in addition to standard clinical care, without any therapeutic intervention or modification of patient management.

Conditions

Venous Congestion; Postoperative Care

Keywords

Venous Excess Ultrasound (VExUS); Portal Venous Pulsatility Index; Doppler Ultrasound; Fluid Management; Intensive Care Unit; Postoperative Patients

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Correlation between portal venous pulsatility index (portal PI) and splenic venous pulsatility index (splenic PI) measured by Doppler ultrasound.

  The primary outcome is the degree of correlation between portal and splenic venous pulsatility indices assessed during the same ultrasound examination in postoperative critically ill patients.

  Baseline assessment during the first 72 hours after admission to the postoperative intensive care unit.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Adult patients admitted to the postoperative intensive care unit after major surgery. Participants will undergo Doppler ultrasound assessment of portal and splenic venous pulsatility during the early postoperative period to evaluate the relationship between venous pulsatility patterns and systemic venous congestion.

You may not qualify if:

• Known chronic liver disease or previous portal hypertension. Previous pathological splenomegaly or prior splenectomy. Recent hepatic or splenic surgery during the same hospitalization. Known portal or splenic vein thrombosis. Absence of an adequate ultrasound window after two attempts by trained operators.
• Death or discharge from the intensive care unit before completion of the first protocolized ultrasound assessment.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hospital Universitario de Gran Canaria Doctor Negrín: lead

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Hyperemia

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Vascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases

Central Study Contacts

LUCIA VALENCIA, PHD

CONTACT

0034928450370; ORI98ES@YAHOO.ES

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Intensive Care Unit Attending Physician

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 14, 2026
• First Posted: September 17, 2026
• Study Start (Estimated): November 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): November 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2027
• Last Updated: September 17, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share