Clinical Research Directory

VEXUS and Assessment of Dry Weight of Patients on Hemodialysis

This is a prospective, single-arm study that will be conducted over a period of 24 weeks. The same maintenance HD patients will be followed sequentially in two study phases, with each patient serving as their own control. The study aims to evaluate the role of POCUS, including LUS and VExUS score, in improving the assessment of volume status and determination of dry weight in patients undergoing maintenance HD. Phase I (Weeks 1-12): Clinical Assessment Phase During the first 12 weeks, all patients will be managed using standard clinical assessment alone. Determination of dry weight and calculation of target ultrafiltration (UF) will rely primarily on clinical parameters, including physical examination and routine clinical judgment. Phase II (Weeks 13-24): POCUS-guided assessment period During the second 12 weeks, the same patients will undergo POCUS assessment, including LUS and VExUS Score. LUS and VExUS examinations will be performed 30 minutes after the scheduled hemodialysis session. All measurements will be conducted during the mid-week dialysis session to reflect the average hydration status of each patient. At the end of each phase, the results of all patients will be correlated with assessment of dry weight by BIS (Inbody version 720). Inclusion criteria: ESRD patients on maintenance HD for more than three months. In the HD unit at Medical Research Institute and Faculty of Medicine. Alexandria University. Age: 25 -65 years old. The ability to give informed consent. Exclusion criteria: * Patients with previous echocardiographic evidence of right heart dysfunction, tricuspid valve disease, or IVC thrombosis. * Patients with liver cirrhosis * Lung diseases: interstitial lung diseases, COPD patients. * Obese (BMI≥30) Before inclusion in the study, all patients will be required to fill out a written informed consent. Also, approval from the Medical Ethics Committee will be obtained. Maintenance hemodialysis patients.