Association between the Venous Excess Ultrasound (VExUS) score and acute kidney injury in critically ill patients with sepsis: a multicenter prospective observational study
Main finding · AKIResult — go to the resultOdds ratio 1.82 95% CI 0.62–5.31Authors' conclusion
In critically ill patients with sepsis, approximately 20% exhibit early (within 24 h of ICU admission) venous congestion, with the prevalence progressively decreasing over the subsequent 5 days. Venous congestion assessed by VExUS was not associated with the occurrence of AKI or with mortality.
Study context
- Population
- Adults with sepsis staying in the intensive care unit (ICU) for at least 24 h
- Participants
- 108 adults
- Exposure
- VExUS score ≥ 2 vs < 2
- Outcome
- Prevalence of acute kidney injury (AKI) during ICU stay
Methodological detailsmulticentre, four ICUs, VExUS assessed on days 1 (within 24 h), 3 (48-72 h) and 5 (96-120 h) after ICU admission
- Multicentre
- Four ICUs
- VExUS assessed on days 1 (within 24 h), 3 (48-72 h) and 5 (96-120 h) after ICU admission
Main finding
AKI
Odds ratio
1.82
95% CI 0.62–5.31
P = 0.274
VExUS ≥ 2 vs VExUS < 2
OR 1.82 (95% CI 0.62–5.31); P = 0.274
As reported in the abstract
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Secondary outcomes
| Outcome | OR (95% CI) | P value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30-day mortality | 0.82 (0.28–2.4) | P = 0.711 | |
| ICU mortality | 1.12 (0.41–3.04) | P = 0.82 | |
| Requirement for RRT | 2.29 (0.68–7.64) | P = 0.179 | |
| 0.10.31310Odds ratio (log scale) |
Prevalence of VExUS score ≥ 2 · days 1, 3 and 5 of ICU admission
- Day 1: 19 patients
- 18%
- Day 3: 15 patients
- 15%
- Day 5: 6 patients
- 6%
Correlation between VExUS and central venous pressure
- No significant correlation (coefficient, 95% CI −0.01 to 0.05, p = 0.204)
- - 0.019
Original publication
Association between the Venous Excess Ultrasound (VExUS) score and acute kidney injury in critically ill patients with sepsis: a multicenter prospective observational study. Ann Intensive Care. Published 23 July 2025. doi:10.
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