[Value of the vena cava index in healthy young subjects. Echocardiographic study].

Echocardiographic analysis of inspiratory collapse of the inferior vena cava is useful in clinical practice as it reflects the events of right heart. The caval index was measured in subcostal views within 2 cm of the right atrium origin of IVC, in 64 young healthy subjects. The results were compared with other similar works and attentively analyzed. The mean value of the caval index was 36.3% +/- 9.27, according to current literature. It seems not related to age, sex, body surface area, cardiac rhythm, condition of pulmonary circulation. This method appears to be useful for non-invasive estimation of central venous pressure.