Role of Ultrasound in Different Types of Shock

Abstract

General and cardiac ultrasound can be easily performed at the bedside by physicians working in the intensive care unit (ICU) and may provide accurate information with diagnostic and therapeutic relevance. Furthermore, ultrasound is relatively inexpensive and does not utilize ionizing radiation. Critical care physicians began to apply ultrasound technology to other non-procedural clinical problems in the ICU, such as the emergency diagnosis of pericardial tamponade and pneumothorax. The availability of clinician ultrasonography has revolutionized the bedside approach to patients in shock. New-onset shock is a medical emergency requiring prompt and definitive therapy. The availability of many protocols to use ultrasound in different types of shock made the ultrasound easy to use and accurate to reach final diagnosis of shock and early start definitive therapy.