Which fluid gauge saves more lives? new trial compares heart monitor vs. vein scan in sepsis

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients Diagnosed with Hypotensive Sepsis: Patients must meet the clinical criteria for sepsis according to the Sepsis-3 definitions, including evidence of infection and hypotension despite adequate fluid resuscitation. Hypotension is defined as systolic blood pressure \<90 mmHg or mean arterial pressure (MAP) \<65 mmHg. * BMI ≥18.5 and ≤40 kg/m²: Patients will be included regardless of BMI, as long as it falls within the normal to overweight/obese range. Extremes of BMI (e.g., \<18.5 or \>40) may be excluded due to the potential influence on peripheral perfusion measurements. * American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Physical Status Classification as: ASA Score I-III: Patients with an ASA physical status score of I (healthy patients), II (mild systemic disease), or III (severe systemic disease) will be included. Patients with ASA IV or V (those with severe systemic disease that is a constant threat to life) will be excluded due to potential confounding factors. Exclusion Criteria: \- Cardiac Conditions: Significant valvular heart diseases, such as severe mitral or aortic regurgitation, which can affect hemodynamic assessments. Presence of major cardiac arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation or frequent ectopic beats, as these can interfere with accurate measurement of fluid responsiveness. \- Renal Considerations: Patients undergoing renal replacement therapy or those with end-stage renal disease, as fluid balance and responsiveness may be altered. * Pregnancy Hemodynamic changes during pregnancy (e.g., increased cardiac output and altered vascular resistance) differ significantly from septic shock. * Patients with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 40 kg/m² Obesity can affect the accuracy of non-invasive monitoring techniques with poor window.