CORRELATION BETWEEN INTERNAL JUGULAR VEIN AND INFERIOR VENA CAVA COLLAPSIBILITY INDEX IN PATIENTS PRESENTING WITH SEPTIC SHOCK IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT: AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Background: Bedside ultrasound helps assess intravascular volume in septic shock. Internal jugular vein collapsibility index (IJV-CI) may be a practical alternative when IVC windows are poor. Objective: To measure the correlation between IJV-CI and IVC-CI in adults presenting with septic shock in the emergency department. Methods: This was an observational study conducted in the emergency department of Narayana Health, Bangalore, in 2025. Sixty-six adults with septic shock were enrolled. Standardized ultrasound was used to measure IJV-CI and IVC-CI before and after fluid resuscitation. Correlation between the two indices was analysed using Pearson’s r. Ethics approval was obtained from the institutional committee (NHH/AEC-CL-2025-1374). Results: Strong correlation was observed between IJV-CI and IVC-CI both before (r = 0.87, p < 0.001) and after (r = 0.89, p < 0.001) fluid resuscitation. Conclusion: IJV-CI strongly correlates with IVC-CI in patients with septic shock. When subcostal IVC imaging is difficult, IJV-based assessment may serve as a reliable and rapid bedside alternative. Data availability: De-identified data can be provided on reasonable request.