Lichtenstein D, Axler O
Medical Intensive Care Unit, Hôpital Ambroise-Paré, Boulogne, France.
Intensive Care Med. 1993;19(6):353-5. doi: 10.1007/BF01694712.
To assess the impact of systematic ultrasound (US) examination in patients admitted to the ICU.
An observational study of 150 consecutive patients.
A medical ICU of a University-affiliated hospital.
All consecutively admitted patients were examined, but patients discharged within < 48 h were excluded from the analysis.
A systematic examination of the abdomen, pleural space, cervical and femoral vein, was performed at the bedside by the same investigator.
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.
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.
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.
