Advanced Ultrasound in Diagnosis and Therapy ›› 2020, Vol. 4 ›› Issue (2): 43-49.doi: 10.37015/AUDT.2020.200035

• Review Article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Critical Care Ultrasonography and Its Application for COVID-19

Xi Liu, MDa,*(), Yang Hai, MDb, Bin Ma, MDa, Weelic Chong, BAc, Ji-Bin Liu, MDb   

  1. a Department of Ultrasound, Air Force Medical Center, Air Force Medical University, Beijing, China
    b Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
    c Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
  • Received:2020-04-11 Online:2020-06-30 Published:2020-04-17
  • Contact: Xi Liu, MD, E-mail:liuxi2007@fmmu.edu.cn

Abstract:

Ultrasound has developed as an invaluable tool in diagnosis and proper management in the intensive care unit (ICU). Application of critical care ultrasonography is quite distinct from the routine comprehensive diagnostic ultrasound exam, because the urgent setting mandates a goal-directed approach. Performing accurate and efficient critical care ultrasound requires ultrasound providers to first understand the pathophysiology of the disease and related imaging findings, and then follow the protocols to perform a focused ultrasound exam. In the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, ultrasound plays an essential role in diagnosing and monitoring critically ill COVID-19 patients in the ICU. Our review focuses on the basics and clinical application of critical care ultrasound in diagnosing common lung disease, COVID-19 pulmonary lesions, pediatric COVID-19, and cardiovascular dysfunction as well as its role in ECMO and interventional ultrasonography.

Key words: Critical care; Ultrasonography; COVID-19; Lung; Heart; Kidney; Vascular