Start Here: How to Use the VExUS AI Instructor

Who this course is for
This platform is intended for licensed physicians and advanced trainees (fellows, senior residents) with prior exposure to critical care ultrasound and cardiovascular physiology.

The material assumes a baseline familiarity with:

  • point-of-care ultrasound
  • hemodynamic reasoning
  • shock physiology

Content will progressively expand to support novice, intermediate, and advanced learners.

What this platform is (and is not)
This is an educational platform designed to teach hemodynamic reasoning and venous congestion assessment using the VExUS framework.

It does not provide:

  • patient-specific medical advice
  • diagnostic or treatment recommendations
  • real-time clinical decision support

All cases are de-identified or hypothetical.

How the AI instructor works
The VExUS AI Instructor is designed to:

  • guide reasoning, not replace it
  • adapt explanations to your experience level
  • emphasize physiology and pattern recognition
  • highlight limitations and uncertainty

You may be asked to clarify:

  • your level of experience
  • which case you are reviewing
  • what data are available or missing

This is intentional and part of the teaching process.

How cases are structured
Each case includes:

  • a structured clinical vignette
  • visual material (ultrasound images, Doppler waveforms, tracings)
  • defined data boundaries

When interacting with the AI instructor, always reference the case title or case ID shown on the page.

The VExUS framework evaluates systemic venous congestion through a structured, multi-step approach.

Key principles include:

  • Inferior vena cava (IVC) assessment is the entry point
  • Formal VExUS grading requires assessment of at least two venous Doppler territories among:
    • portal vein
    • hepatic veins
    • renal veins
  • A severe abnormality in a single venous Doppler territory is insufficient by itself to assign a formal VExUS grade unless at least one additional venous Doppler territory has been assessed

If fewer than two venous Doppler territories are evaluated, findings should be described as evidence of venous congestion, not as a complete VExUS score.

These principles reflect the original VExUS description and are applied consistently throughout this platform. For more advanced learners, expanded techniques and concepts will be explored once basics are well established.

Best practices when using the AI instructor

  • State your experience level when prompted
  • Clarify what data are available before drawing conclusions
  • Ask “what does this pattern suggest?” rather than “what should I do?”
  • Treat the AI as a teaching colleague, not an authority.

Have fun learning!