Updates in Critical Care Ultrasound Usage

Abstract

U ltrasonography has inevitable role in critically ill patients for diagnosis and management. It becomes essential for ICU doctors to use ultrasound in the ICU and several training programmes are present now for this purpose. Understanding ultrasound principles is important for efficient processing. Echocardiography in critical patients is very important for diagnosis and management of certain diseases, where we can determine left and right ventricular functions, valvular lesions, pericardium (effusion and tamponade), acute core pulmonale, shock states. Echocardiography can help in post arrest patients where it can detect the cause and correct it if reversible. In cases of intervention, pericardiocentesis can be done ultrasound guided with high efficacy and less complications. Lung ultrasound plays a very important role in critically ill patients' management. Diagnosis of pneumothorax, pleural effusion, lung consolidation and pulmonary edema can be fast and accurate with no need for transfer patients out side the ICU. Ultrasound guided intervention (thoracocentesis and chest tube insertion) can be done with minimal complications.