Usefulness of serial lung ultrasound for a severe COVID-19 patient on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. (2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Taniguchi, Hayato; Ohta, Souichi; Honzawa, Hiroshi; Takahashi, Kouhei; Iwashita, Masayuki; Abe, Takeru; Takeuchi, Ichiro
• Is Part Of: Respiratory medicine case reports. Volume 33(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021
• Subjects: Coronavirus disease -- Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation -- Lung ultrasound -- Patient self-inflicted lung injury -- Point-of-care ultrasound; Respiratory organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Chest -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Respiratory Tract Diseases -- Periodicals; Respiratory System -- Periodicals; Chest -- Diseases; Respiratory organs -- Diseases; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616.2
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2021.101383
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2213-0071

Abstract

Abstract: Computed tomography (CT) is the most reliable method to evaluate the progression of COVID-19 pneumonitis. However, in a pandemic, transportation of critically ill invasively ventilated patients to radiology facilities is challenging, especially for those on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Notably, lung ultrasound (LUS) is a favored alternative imaging modality due to its ease of use at the point of care, which reduces the infectious risk of exposure and transmission; repeatability; absence of radiation exposure; and low cost. We demonstrated that serial LUS compares favorably with other imaging modalities in terms of usefulness for evaluating lung aeration and recovery in an ECMO-managed COVID-19 patient. Highlights: Serial lung ultrasound (LUS) correlates with computed tomography findings and can evaluate COVID-19 more specifically than laboratory findings. LUS may be useful for the detection of P-SILI.