Author Of 3 Presentations
LUNG ULTRASOUND
HOW TO USE ULTRASOUND FOR BEDSIDE DIAGNOSTICS
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LUNG MECHANICS AND LUNG AERATION EVALUATED BY A SEMIQUANTITATIVE LUNG ULTRASOUND SCORE
Abstract
Background
Lung ultrasound (LUS) is becoming an important point-of-care technique in intensive care units. Several semi-quantitative lung ultrasound scores, based on simple LUS signs are available and are used to describe lung aeration and guide respiratory care and interventions. There are currently few data on the relationship between lung mechanics and LUS scores.
Objectives
We aimed to study this relationship to gain an understanding of when a semi-quantitative evaluation of lung aeration may be reliable and useful in clinical practice.
Methods
This is a prospective observational cohort study enrolling NICU-admitted neonates subdivided into three groups:preterm babies with RDS needing intubation and surfactant administration (restrictive pattern group);preterm neonates with developing BPD needing invasive ventilation (mixed pattern group);neonates with no lung disease(control group).LUS was performed by a skilled ultrasonographer and a LUS score was calculated as previously published before surfactant administration, if any.Within 30’ from the LUS examination,respiratory mechanics were evaluated by measuring dynamic compliance(Cdyn) and resistances(Raw).
Results
Sixteen,eleven and eighteen neonates were enrolled in the restrictive,mixed and control groups,respectively.There is a highly significant correlation between LUS and Cdyn for the restrictive pattern group(r= -0.6; p=0.016),but not for either of the other two groups(mixed: r= -0.39; p=0.228; control: r= -0.37; p=0.130).There is no correlation between LUS and Raw for any of the groups(restrictive:r= 0.2; p=0.635; mixed:r= -0.28; p=0.594; control:r= 0.21; p=0.653).
Conclusion
There is an inverse and significant correlation between Cdyn and LUS scores exclusively for patients with a restrictive pattern.The LUS score may be better adapted to evaluate lung mechanics and aeration in restrictive respiratory failure.