VEXUS: Venous Excess Ultrasound Score
I cannot provide information about VEXUS from the evidence provided, as none of the supplied studies address the VEXUS protocol. The evidence exclusively discusses IVC (inferior vena cava) filters for venous thromboembolism management, not the VEXUS ultrasound scoring system.
What the Evidence Actually Covers
The provided studies focus entirely on:
- IVC filter placement and retrieval for deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism prevention 1
- Indications for IVC filters in patients with contraindications to anticoagulation 2, 3
- Technical aspects of filter removal using advanced techniques 1, 4
- Imaging modalities for IVC assessment including ultrasound, CT venography, and MR venography 5
What VEXAS Actually Is (General Medical Knowledge)
VEXUS stands for VEnous eXcess UltraSound score, not "Vena Cava Filter Extraction Under Surveillance" as suggested in the expanded question. This is a point-of-care ultrasound protocol used to assess venous congestion in critically ill patients by evaluating:
- Inferior vena cava diameter and collapsibility
- Hepatic vein Doppler waveforms
- Portal vein pulsatility
- Intrarenal venous flow patterns
The score grades venous congestion from 0-3 and helps guide fluid management decisions in patients with acute kidney injury, heart failure, or shock states. However, this information cannot be cited from the provided evidence, as none of the studies discuss this protocol.