A Pilot Study Examining the Use of Ultrasound to Measure Intravascular Volume Status in Agricultural Workers in a Field-Based Research Setting.

OBJECTIVE:The aim of this pilot study was to explore if internal jugular vein (IJV) ultrasound studies on agricultural workers in a field-based research setting could assess volume status during a hydration intervention. METHODS:We performed pre- and post-work shift IJV ultrasound images on 30 agricultural workers. The IJV collapsibility index values were <39% (euvolemic) or ≥39% (hypovolemic). RESULTS:Of the water group, 13% (2/15) had an IJV collapsibility index ≥39%, and this increased to 19% (3/16) by the end of the work shifts. The electrolyte group did not have any workers start the work shift with an IJV collapsibility index ≥39%; however, at the postshift assessment, 15% (2/13) were hypovolemic. CONCLUSION:Internal jugular vein ultrasounds may have the potential to be a useful tool to determine volume status in field-based research settings. Further investigation is needed to confirm these findings.