In cardiac ultrasound, IVC collapsibility is a crucial parameter assessing fluid status and right atrial pressure. This measurement, often expressed as the IVC collapsibility index (IVCCI), evaluates how much the inferior vena cava (IVC) diameter changes with respiration. A highly collapsible IVC typically indicates hypovolemia or low central venous pressure.
Monitoring IVC collapsibility is invaluable in medical settings for guiding fluid resuscitation, particularly in critically ill patients, and in diagnosing conditions like heart failure or shock. Its real-time, non-invasive nature makes it a vital tool in point-of-care ultrasound for rapid hemodynamic assessment.