A trend skill that makes pediatric intensivists stand out: Critical care echocardiography

• Published in: Australasian journal of ultrasound in medicine Vol. 24; no. 2; pp. 78 - 81
• Main Authors: Yildizdas, Dincer, Aslan, Nagehan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Australia Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01-05-2021; John Wiley and Sons Inc
• Subjects: Critical care echocardiography; pediatric intensivist; point‐of‐care ultrasound; Review; Critical care echocardiography; point‐of‐care ultrasound; pediatric intensivist
• ISSN: 1836-6864; 2205-0140; 2205-0140; 1836-6864
• DOI: 10.1002/ajum.12233

Recently, the use of point‐of‐care ultrasonography (POCUS) by pediatricians especially in emergency and intensive care departments has become increasingly popular. Critical care echocardiography (CCE) quickly and accurately identifies cardiac function, allowing intensivists to manage critically ill pediatric patients by manipulating vasoactive–inotrope–fluid treatment based on the echocardiographic results. Training courses for POCUS are increasingly available and more intensivists are learning how to use CCE. In this review, we focus on the importance and utility of CCE in pediatric intensive units and how it assists in the management of hemodynamically unstable pediatric patients. We highlight the common measurements carried out by intensive care specialists and emphasize the role of the CCE methods in PICUs.