Stories That Inspire Global Impact

Pneumothorax exclusion in critical care ultrasound refers to the rapid and accurate process of ruling out a pneumothorax (collapsed lung). This is achieved by observing specific ultrasound signs, primarily the presence of lung sliding at the pleural line and the absence of B-lines, which confirm that the visceral and parietal pleura are in contact. This…

In Critical Care, proning assessment refers to the systematic evaluation of a patient's suitability and response to the prone position, a technique used to improve oxygenation in severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This involves a thorough clinical and often ultrasound-guided examination before and during proning to monitor lung recruitment, fluid status, and potential complications.…

Hemothorax exclusion, in critical care ultrasound, refers to the systematic process of ruling out a hemothorax – the presence of blood in the pleural space – through sonographic assessment. This rapid, non-invasive evaluation is crucial for patients with trauma or acute respiratory distress, helping clinicians differentiate between various causes of pleural effusions and guide immediate…

Shock differentiation in critical care ultrasound is the rapid, point-of-care assessment to identify the underlying cause of hemodynamic instability. This crucial process categorizes shock into distributive, cardiogenic, hypovolemic, and obstructive types, guiding immediate, targeted interventions for critically ill patients. Utilizing bedside ultrasound, clinicians quickly evaluate cardiac function, fluid status, and the presence of effusions or…

Obstructive shock in critical care is a life-threatening condition where blood flow is severely impeded due to an extracardiac obstruction, despite adequate intravascular volume. Common causes include pulmonary embolism, cardiac tamponade, tension pneumothorax, and severe aortic stenosis. Rapid identification through medical ultrasound is crucial for guiding immediate interventions, such as pericardiocentesis or needle decompression, to…

The RUSH (Rapid Ultrasound for Shock and Hypotension) protocol is a critical point-of-care ultrasound examination used in emergency and critical care settings to rapidly identify the cause of undifferentiated shock. This systematic approach assesses the heart, IVC, peritoneal cavity, aorta, and lungs to detect fluid overload, hypovolemia, obstructive shock, or cardiac dysfunction. Its real-time diagnostic…

The SHoC (Sonographic Assessment of the Heart in Shock) protocol is a rapid, point-of-care ultrasound examination used in critical care to identify the cause of undifferentiated shock. This systematic approach assesses cardiac function, fluid status, and identifies potential life-threatening conditions like pericardial effusion, severe valvular dysfunction, or right heart strain. It provides immediate, actionable insights,…

The BLUE protocol (Bedside Lung Ultrasound in Emergency) is a rapid ultrasound algorithm used in critical care to diagnose the cause of acute respiratory failure. This point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) method systematically evaluates lung and pleural signs, such as lung sliding, A-lines, B-lines, and pleural effusion, to quickly identify conditions like pneumothorax, pulmonary edema, pneumonia, and…

The Focused Assessment with Sonography for Shock (FALLS) protocol is a critical care ultrasound-based approach designed for rapid, systematic evaluation of hemodynamically unstable patients. This structured protocol helps identify the underlying cause of shock, guiding timely and targeted interventions. By assessing cardiac function, fluid status, and potential obstructive causes, FALLS is invaluable in critical care…