- Ultrasound on ITU
- USS waves are produced when a voltage is applied across a substance with piezoelectric properties, eg lead-zirconate-titanate-5 (PZT5). Some of the acoustic energy is reflected back and received by the transducer and processed into a display. TTE uses low frequency transducers of 2-4MHz to allow better penetration
- Thoracic ultrasound
- Can identify pleural effusion, pneumothorax, atelectasis, pneumonia and pulmonary oedema
- Can be used for thoracocentesis
- Abdominal ultrasound
- FAST scan
- Used to diagnose intraperitoneal free fluid in trauma situations
- Can miss intra abdominal trauma
- AAA, hydronephrosis, renal size, renal blood flow, gall bladder can also be assessed
- Misc
- DVT assessment
- Ocular
- Can detect raised ICP if optic nerve sheath diameter > 5mm
- Transcranial Doppler
- Neonatal fontanelle scanning
- Aid to vascular access
- Regional anaesthesia
- ECHO
- Uses
- Haemodynamic instability
- Aortic dissection
- Tamponade
- Chest trauma
- Myocardial function
- Assessed by viewing contractility and thickening of myocardium during systole
- May see RWMA
- RV can be seen with assessment of TR, RV overload etc.
- Valvular disease
- Preload assessment
- LVES area and LVED areas can estimate volume status with 'kissing' papillary muscles seen in systole.
- After load assessment
- In sepsis, there is normal LVED area but reduced LVES area
- LVOT obstruction
- Systolic anterior motion of the MV may be seen
- Myocardial contusion, mediastinal haematomas can also be seen
- TED
- Thrombus in the RA
- RV dilatation, dysfunction
- TOE
- Best for dissection and endocarditis
- Tamponade
- > 1cm rim is significant, but doesn't tell about pressure
- CEACCP
Link:ceaccp.oxfordjournals.org/content/8/2/46.full.pdf
- ULTRASOUND EXPLAINED
Link:wellingtonicu.com/Data/Tripp/Critical%20care%20ultrasound%20notes.pdf