Background: The diameter of the inferior vena cava in trauma patients may be useful for evaluating hypovolemia.
Methods: Between June 2003 and September 2003, 35 injured patients transferred to the authors' hospital were prospectively investigated. They were divided into two groups: a shock group (n = 10) and a control group (n = 25). The maximum anteroposterior diameter of the inferior vena cava was measured using a sonography at arrival and on hospital day 5.
Results: The average diameter of the inferior vena cava in the shock group was significantly smaller than in the control group. There was no significant change in the diameter of the inferior vena cava in the control group, but significant change was seen in the shock group between arrival and hospital day 5.
Conclusion: The diameter of the inferior vena cava was found to correlate with hypovolemia in trauma patients.