INTENSIVE USE OF GENERAL ULTRASOUND IN THE INTENSIVE-CARE UNIT - PROSPECTIVE-STUDY OF 150 CONSECUTIVE PATIENTS

Objective: To assess the impact of systematic ultrasound (US) examination in patients admitted to the ICU. Design: An observational study of 150 consecutive patients Setting: A medical ICU of a University-affiliated hospital Patients: All consecutively admitted patients were examined, but patients discharged within < 48 h were excluded from the analysis Interventions: A systematic examination of the abdomen, pleural space, cervical and femoral vein, was performed at the bedside by the same investigator Measurements: Results of US examinations were compared to findings from CT-scan, surgery, endoscopic procedures, autopsy, or other diagnostic tests. The impact of U.S. findings on immediate patients management was evaluated Results. In 33 of 150 patients (22%), U.S. findings influenced the diagnosis, work up of the patients, and had a direct impact on the therapeutic plan. In 30/33 cases, confirmation of diagnosis was obtained by another diagnostic and/or therapeutic procedure Conclusions: Routine US examination may alter therapeutic plans in up to 1/4 of critically ill patients admitted to the ICU. US examination should be liberally performed on such patients.