Stories That Inspire Global Impact

Left Ventricular (LV) dysfunction in Critical Care refers to the impaired ability of the heart's main pumping chamber to effectively pump blood. This critical condition, often assessed via bedside ultrasound, can manifest as systolic dysfunction (reduced ejection of blood) or diastolic dysfunction (impaired filling). Early ultrasound detection is crucial for managing acute heart failure, cardiogenic…

Stroke Volume Variation (SVV) is a key dynamic preload indicator in critical care, assessed through advanced hemodynamic monitoring, including ultrasound. It quantifies the beat-to-beat variability in stroke volume, reflecting changes in cardiac output related to respiratory cycles. This measurement is crucial for guiding fluid management in mechanically ventilated patients, helping clinicians determine fluid responsiveness and…

Sepsis monitoring in critical care involves continuous assessment of vital signs, lab parameters, and organ function to detect and manage sepsis, a life-threatening response to infection. Ultrasound plays a crucial role by providing real-time insights into hemodynamics, cardiac function, fluid status, and source identification, guiding immediate interventions. Early and accurate sepsis monitoring, particularly with medical…

IVC (Inferior Vena Cava) variation in Critical Care ultrasound assesses a patient's fluid status and volume responsiveness. This dynamic measurement involves observing changes in the IVC diameter during the respiratory cycle, indicating how well a patient might respond to fluid administration. It's a key hemodynamic parameter, especially in hypotensive or septic shock patients. Understanding IVC…

In Critical Care, CRRT (Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy) catheter guidance uses ultrasound to precisely insert vascular access catheters for critically ill patients requiring continuous kidney support. This technique enhances patient safety and efficacy by visualizing vessels and surrounding anatomy, minimizing complications like arterial puncture or pneumothorax, crucial for renal replacement therapy. Ultrasound guidance optimizes the…

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…