Ultrasound-guided Anaesthesia
Ultrasound can provide useful information beyond the numbers on an anaesthetic monitor—but what can it tell us, and how can we use it effectively?
This session explores three practical applications of ultrasound in small animal anaesthesia. We will examine ultrasound-assisted assessment of volume status, including measurement of the inferior vena cava collapsibility index (IVCCI), its limitations, and its role in assessing fluid responsiveness.
We will then introduce abdominal and thoracic focused assessment with sonography (AFAST and TFAST), outlining scanning techniques and recognition of free abdominal fluid, pleural and pericardial effusion, and pneumothorax.
Finally, we will explore ultrasound-guided central venous and arterial catheter placement, focusing on vessel identification, needle visualisation, and procedural safety.
Designed for veterinary nurses and veterinary surgeons, this lecture provides a practical introduction to integrating ultrasound findings with clinical assessment and anaesthetic monitoring to support informed decisions and collaborative patient care.
- Explain how ultrasound can support assessment of volume status and fluid responsiveness, including IVCCI measurement and its limitations. London Vet Show 2026
- Describe AFAST and TFAST scanning techniques and recognise ultrasound findings associated with free fluid, effusions, and pneumothorax.
- Outline the principles of ultrasound-guided central venous and arterial catheter placement, including vessel identification, needle visualisation, and
- procedural safety
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