Venous congestion in critical care: combining VExUS, lung ultrasound, and echocardiography

Annals of Intensive Care 2026 Open access

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Authors: Karel Huard, Jean Deschamps, Étienne J. Couture, Marc-Antoine Lepage, William Beaubien‐Souligny, Yoan Lamarche, André Y. Denault
DOI: 10.1016/j.aicoj.2026.100127
Cited by: 1
References: 80

Abstract

Venous congestion is an important pathophysiological mechanism impacting organ function in critically ill patients. However, congestion physiology is complex, can affect multiple organ systems, and is subject to change rapidly over time. Contemporary multimodal assessment integrates both traditional approaches and emerging technologies to refine our understanding and improve clinical evaluation of this dynamic process. In this review, we explore how combining various ultrasound assessments can enhance the evaluation of congestion in critically ill patients. Topics include diastolic function evaluation with echocardiography, the Venous Excess Ultrasound (VExUS) assessment, and lung ultrasound.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Ultrasound in Clinical Applications Hemodynamic Monitoring and Therapy Venous Thromboembolism Diagnosis and Management

Publication details

Journal / source
Annals of Intensive Care
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Volume
16
Pages
100127–100127
Publication date
1 January 2026
Language
EN