Simple-appearing #IMPOCUS scenario but important!
Thread:
1/ Consulted for AKI. Patient: Middle-aged gentleman with significant peripheral edema.
Plan: Let's try diuretic
Oh, may be perform #POCUS
-> IVC looks plump, doesn't appear to collapse
= needs diuretic. #MedEd
Thread:
1/ Consulted for AKI. Patient: Middle-aged gentleman with significant peripheral edema.
Plan: Let's try diuretic
Oh, may be perform #POCUS
-> IVC looks plump, doesn't appear to collapse

2/ but the renal attending likes to do #VExUS
Let's look at portal vein #POCUS
-> Looks great, doesn't seem to indicate congestion
Let's look at portal vein #POCUS
-> Looks great, doesn't seem to indicate congestion
3/ What about the renal vein #POCUS?
Not a great picture due to breathing but seems the waveform is continuous (appears noisy because the gain was increased intentionally) [don't pay attention to RI - its inaccurate]
Not a great picture due to breathing but seems the waveform is continuous (appears noisy because the gain was increased intentionally) [don't pay attention to RI - its inaccurate]
Lungs?
Overall A-line pattern. Left sided image shown
Overall A-line pattern. Left sided image shown

Something doesn't sound right...why was IVC plump? No h/o pulm HTN or severe TR based on recent Echo.
Let's repeat IVC #POCUS
Let's repeat IVC #POCUS

oh no...it's barely 1cm in max diameter and collapsing with normal inspiration.
What's wrong with the initial IVC (done few minutes before, same machine)?
Caudate lobe of the liver was mistaken for IVC!
IV diuretic would have worsened AKI
Trust me, this is not an uncommon scenario. #VExUS is a great addition to day-to-day #POCUS Thanks to @ThinkingCC & co
Caudate lobe of the liver was mistaken for IVC!
IV diuretic would have worsened AKI

Trust me, this is not an uncommon scenario. #VExUS is a great addition to day-to-day #POCUS Thanks to @ThinkingCC & co
Finally, the good old #POCUS saying...