HARD DECISIONS IN INTENSIVE CARE UNIT

Intensivecareunitkapak

USG IN INTENSIVE CARE UNIT

Muhammed Emin Zora

Uşak University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Uşak, Türkiye

Zora ME. USG in Intensive Care Unit. In: Turan S, editor. Hard Decisions in Intensive Care Unit. 1st ed. Ankara: Türkiye Klinikleri; 2025. p.433-446.

ABSTRACT

Ultrasound technology has revolutionized patient care in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) by providing rapid and accurate diagnostic and therapeutic applications. The advancements in ultrasound technology, which began in the mid-20th century, have led to the development of portable and efficient devices, enabling real-time bedside imaging. This portability has made ultrasound particularly valuable in emergencies, critical patient management, and interventional procedures, where speed and precision are crucial.

In ICUs, Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) is a widely used tool that facilitates the immediate diagnosis and treatment of life-threatening conditions. Its applications include lung ultrasound for detecting pneumonia, pleural effusion, or pneumothorax; cardiac ultrasound for assessing pericardial effusion and myocardial function; and abdominal ultrasound for identifying free fluid or abdominal aortic aneurysms. Additionally, POCUS is critical in guiding procedures such as central venous catheter placement and diagnosing deep vein thrombosis.

Ultrasound applications targeting the thoracic, abdominal, vascular, cardiac, and neurological systems offer advantages over other imaging modalities in critical care. Key elements evaluated in these systems include imaging of the lungs and pleural space, assessment of intra-abdominal organs and ascites, examination of vascular structures, evaluation of cardiac functions, and parameters like optic nerve sheath diameter and cerebral blood flow. Thoracic ultrasound enables the assessment of respiratory failure and pleural effusion, while cardiac ultrasound is used to evaluate hemodynamic status and cardiac function rapidly. Vascular ultrasound can reveal vessel obstructions and thrombosis, whereas neurological ultrasound employs optic nerve sheath diameter measurement techniques or transcranial Doppler for assessing brain function.

In conclusion, ultrasound has significantly improved Intensive Care Units (ICU) outcomes by enhancing diagnostic accuracy, guiding interventions, and ensuring patient safety. Training healthcare professionals and standardizing protocols are essential to maximizing the benefits of ultrasound in critical care settings.

Keywords: Critical illness; Diagnostic imaging; Intensive care units; Point-of-care testing; Ultrasonography

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