POCUS in Emergency and ICU

Point of Care Ultrasound in Emergency and ICU

Ultrasound has been increasingly used by non-radiologist physicians. Currently, it is considered an innovative tool capable of improving medical care, and its importance is observed by the incorporation of this method as part of the physical examination.

In this way, critical patients, mainly in the Emergency Room and in the ICU, benefit from a fast and objective diagnostic approach, which in turn allows for more accurate decision-making, and among the main advantages of the method are its non-invasive nature, the absence of radiation, and, in many cases, easier and faster access.

This tool has several applications, including the search for free intra-abdominal fluid, pulmonary changes, hemodynamic evaluation, and intracranial hypertension. In addition, it allows for greater safety and speed in invasive and co-guided procedures such as paracentesis, thoracentesis, orotracheal intubation, obtaining central venous access, among others.