Right Ventricle Dilation Detected on Point-of-Care Ultrasound Is a Predictor of Poor Outcomes in Critically Ill Patients With COVID-19.

Publication/Presentation Date

9-1-2021

Abstract

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for judicious use of diagnostic tests and to limit personnel exposure has led to increased use and dependence on point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) examinations. We reviewed POCUS findings in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for acute respiratory failure with COVID-19 and correlated the findings to severity of illness and 30-day outcomes.

METHODS: Patients admitted to the ICU in March and April 2020 were reviewed for inclusion (acute hypoxemic respiratory failure secondary to COVID-19 pneumonia; documentation of POCUS findings).

RESULTS: Forty-three patients met inclusion criteria. B lines and pleural thickening were associated with a lower PaO

CONCLUSIONS: Although lung ultrasound abnormalities are prevalent in patients with severe disease, RV involvement seems to be predictive of outcomes. Further studies are needed to discern the etiology and pathophysiology of RV dilation in COVID-19.

Volume

38

Issue

9

First Page

396

Last Page

401

ISSN

1078-4497

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

PubMedID

34737535

Department(s)

Department of Medicine

Document Type

Article

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