Échographie pleuropulmonaire : applications cliniques et perspectives en réanimation

Abstract: Objective: To describe the use of lung ultrasound in clinical practice and the new opportunities offered by this technology in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Method: Review of signs identified by lung ultrasound and systematic analysis of data published within the last 5 years on its use in ICU. The literature has been extracted from the database Pubmed™. Specific keywords were used to select relevant publications. Clinical studies published in French and English languages were assessed. Results: Lung ultrasound serves to diagnose, quantify, drain and monitor pleural effusions. In patients with acute respiratory failure, lung ultrasound participates to the diagnosis, the implementation of treatments and their follow-up. It helps to manage patients with pneumonia and acute lung injury. Finally, the investigation of the interstitial edema brings information about hemodynamics that can serve to manage our patients. Conclusion: Lung ultrasound is an easy, non-invasive, and non-irradiant technology. It brings lot of useful information at the patient''s bedside. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]