New Diagnostic Capabilities of Ultrasound in the Intensive Care Unit

Bedside critical care ultrasound has performance similar to traditional tests in diagnosing certain pathologies such as pleural effusion, pericardial effusion, pneumothorax, global cardiac dysfunction, and deep venous thrombosis. In this review article, we will provide an update of ultrasound’s performance in assessing other pathologies. Specifically, we will discuss the diagnostic performance of ultrasound in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism, pulmonary edema, and alveolar collapse; in evaluating readiness for extubation; and in predicting fluid responsiveness. These topics were chosen for their importance in the daily management of critically ill patients. A review of recent studies will show that ultrasound is a promising tool for the intensivist in these clinical settings. © 2015, Springer Science + Business Media New York.