Internal jugular (neck) ultrasound to predict low blood pressure after spinal anesthesia in older adults

The Role of Internal Jugular Vein Ultrasonography in Predicting Hypotension in Geriatric Patients Undergoing Spinal Anesthesia: A Prospective Observational Study (Protocol ID: 2023-12/509)

Observational Dr Abdurrahman Yurtaslan Ankara Oncology Training and Research Hospital · NCT07411313

We try to see if a quick ultrasound of the internal jugular vein before spinal anesthesia can predict which people aged 65 and older will develop low blood pressure.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment85 (estimated)
Ages65 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorDr Abdurrahman Yurtaslan Ankara Oncology Training and Research Hospital Academic / other
Locations1 site (Ankara, YENİMAHALLE)
Trial IDNCT07411313 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Older adults receiving spinal anesthesia commonly experience clinically important drops in blood pressure, and preoperative intravascular volume status may help identify those at risk. This prospective observational study will enroll elective surgical patients aged 65 years and older and obtain supine preoperative ultrasound measurements of the internal jugular vein (diameter, cross-sectional area, and collapsibility index). Intraoperative systolic/diastolic blood pressure and heart rate will be monitored and episodes of hypotension after spinal anesthesia recorded. The analysis will test whether baseline IJV ultrasound parameters predict post-spinal hypotension.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 65 or older scheduled for elective surgery under spinal anesthesia with ASA physical status I–III who can give informed consent and tolerate the supine position are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients undergoing emergency surgery, requiring conversion to general anesthesia or sedoanalgesia, with BMI ≥40, on ACE inhibitors, pre-spinal hypotension, or left ventricular ejection fraction <40% are unlikely to benefit from the predictive approach tested here.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, clinicians could identify older patients at higher risk of post-spinal hypotension and apply targeted preventive measures before anesthesia.

How similar studies have performed: Prior small observational studies have suggested IJV ultrasound correlates with venous filling and may help predict hypotension, but results have been mixed and not yet definitive.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age ≥65 years
* Scheduled to undergo surgery under spinal anesthesia
* American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-III
* Able and willing to provide written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Did not provide written informed consent
* Undergoing emergency surgery
* Body mass index (BMI) ≥40 kg/m²
* Receiving angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
* Pre-spinal systolic blood pressure \<90 mmHg or mean arterial pressure \<70 mmHg
* Unable to tolerate the supine position
* Left ventricular ejection fraction \<40%
* Requiring sedoanalgesia in addition to spinal anesthesia or conversion to general anesthesia

Where this trial is running

Ankara, YENİMAHALLE

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Spinal Anesthesia Induced HypotensionGeriatricInternal Jugular VeinUltrasonographyGeriatric patientsSpinal anesthesiaHypotensionInternal jugular vein
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.