#249 VExUS Ultrasound | How to Assess Venous Congestion at the Bedside

WhiteBoard Medicine - Emergency And Critical Care · Apr 16, 2026 · 26m

In this episode, we break down VExUS ultrasound (Venous Excess Ultrasound Score) and how to assess venous congestion at the bedside in critically ill patients. We walk through the physiology of venous congestion and how to integrate IVC ultrasound, hepatic vein Doppler, portal vein Doppler, and renal venous Doppler into a practical framework for evaluating fluid tolerance vs fluid overload. This is a powerful tool for clinicians managing patients in the ICU and emergency department who are trying to decide when to give fluids—and when to stop. If you’ve ever struggled with fluid status…