POINT OF CARE LUNG ULTRASOUND IN MECHANICALLY VENTILATED PATIENTS

Abstract

Objective: To assess the role of lung ultrasound in mechanically ventilated patients in intensive care setting in this part of the world.

Study Design: Prospective observational study.

Place and Duration of Study: Pak Emirates Military Hospital Rawalpindi Pakistan, Feb 2015 to Jul 2015.

Methodology: We studied 76 patients who fulfilled the criteria of being mechanically ventilated and had computed tomography scan chest. Point of care lung ultrasound was performed in all patients within 6 hours of computed tomography chest and findings were compared with computed tomography scan.

Results: Of 76 patients 50 were male and rest 26 were female. The mean age of subjects was 42.3 ± 7.8 years ranging from 14 to 73 years. Lung sonography demonstrated hundred percent diagnostic accuracy for pneumothorax and pleural effusion whereas it was 91% and 75% for interstitial syndrome and consolidation respectively.

Conclusion: Thoracic ultrasound was found a safe and reliable diagnostic tool for mechanically ventilated critically ill patients and results are nearly equivalent to Computed Tomography scan.