Effect of a Sacral Lift on Femoral Vein Size and Exposure

Launched by ALLEGHENY SINGER RESEARCH INSTITUTE (ALSO KNOWN AS ALLEGHENY HEALTH NETWORK RESEARCH INSTITUTE) · Apr 1, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is investigating whether using a sacral lift can help improve the size and visibility of the femoral vein, which is important for certain medical procedures in the emergency department. Specifically, the researchers want to find out if the sacral lift makes the vein larger and easier to see, especially when patients are lying in different positions. Participants will undergo ultrasound scans of their femoral vein while lying straight and in a frog-leg position, both with and without the sacral lift, to see if it really makes a difference.

To be eligible for this study, you must be an adult patient in the emergency department, aged between 18 and 85. However, if you have certain medical conditions, such as a history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or previous surgeries on your lower legs, you may not qualify. If you choose to participate, you can expect to have a simple ultrasound procedure to help the researchers gather the information they need. This study is not yet recruiting participants, but it aims to help improve medical practices in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Adult emergency department patients.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • \<18 or \>85 years-old
• • Anyone with a history of: deep venous thrombosis (DVT), May-Thurner syndrome, lower extremity vein harvesting, arterial or venous surgery of the lower leg (e.g., peripheral arterial stent placement or sclerotherapy of lower extremity varicose veins), or peripheral vascular disease.
• • Anyone with a medical condition that could impact their physical ability to lay supine or abduct and externally rotate their hips safely (e.g., hip fracture).
• • Anyone whose femoral vessels cannot be clearly identified using a linear transducer
• • Anyone whose femoral vein is not compressible on the study ultrasound (indicating a DVT). If 100% of the femoral vein is already exposed from under the femoral artery with a straight leg (right or left), the patient will be excluded from the study.
• • Vulnerable populations such as pregnant women and those who cannot consent.