Perceptions and Ultrasound Literacy for Sound Volume Management (PULSE)

The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of ICU physicians in Switzerland regarding the use of ultrasound for fluid management and evaluation of venous congestion.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Volume Responsiveness; Ultrasound-guided Fluid Management; Venous Congestion Assessment; ICU Physician Practices
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Quastionnaire

Detailed Description

This multicenter survey study aims to explore the experiences, perceptions, and attitudes of intensive care unit (ICU) physicians in Switzerland regarding the use of ultrasound for fluid management. The primary objective is to assess participants' knowledge of ultrasound techniques to predict fluid responsiveness and evaluate venous congestion. The study will also compare familiarity with traditional methods (e.g., central venous pressure, IVC-Inferior Vena Cava ultrasound) and newer approaches such as the VEXUS (Venous Excess Ultrasound Score) score or assessment of stroke volume changes during passive leg raise or mini fluid challenges.

Participants will complete an online questionnaire via REDCap, covering demographics, professional background, ultrasound training, knowledge and experience with ultrasound for volume management and venous congestion, as well as institutional factors and suggestions for improvement. The survey will be distributed to physicians working in ICUs at multiple Swiss hospitals, including the University Hospital Basel, Kantonsspital Aarau, Inselspital Bern, Spitalzentrum Biel, and Triemlispital Zürich. Participation is voluntary, and informed consent will be obtained electronically at the start of the questionnaire.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 200

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Gregor Loosen, MD; Phone Number: +41 61 55 65194; Email: gregormichael.loosen@usb.ch
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Sebastian Berger, MD; Phone Number: +41 61 32 84085; Email: sebastian.berger@usb.ch

Study Locations

• Switzerland
  • Basel, Switzerland, 4031
    • University Hospital Basel
    • Contact: Gregor Loosen, MD; Phone Number: +41 61 55 65194; Email: gregormichael.loosen@usb.ch

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: N/A

• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

physicians working in Swiss ICUs

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• physicians working in ICUs
• working in Switzerland

Exclusion Criteria:

-

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
ICU staff; physicians working in ICUs in Switzerland	Other: Quastionnaire; physicians working in ICUs will complete a questionnaire through REDcap

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Physician Knowledge and Experience Using Ultrasound for Fluid Management and Venous Congestion	The primary outcome is the proportion of ICU physicians in Switzerland who demonstrate knowledge and report regular use of ultrasound techniques for assessing fluid responsiveness and venous congestion, including traditional methods and newer approaches. Data will be collected through a structured online questionnaire.	completion of questionnaire takes about 30 minutes

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Gregor Loosen, MD, University Hospital of Basel

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): December 1, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): November 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): November 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: November 14, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 14, 2025
• First Posted (Actual): November 19, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): November 19, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 14, 2025
• Last Verified: November 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Ultrasound; intensive care; fluid management; volume responsiveness
• Other Study ID Numbers: am25Loosen;Req-2025-00684

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No