title: Ultrasound in the surgical intensive care unit.
abstract: Ultrasonography in the intensive care unit (ICU) has become a valuable tool for expeditiously, safely and effectively diagnosing and treating a myriad of conditions commonly encountered in this setting. Most surgeons are familiar with FAST (Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma) and can readily grasp the fundamentals of a limited or directed ultrasonographic exam. Thus, with appropriate training and practice, surgeons can utilize this tool in visualizing, characterizing and treating life-threatening conditions in their role as intensivists in the surgical ICU (SICU). In this review we will discuss the role of ultrasonography in evaluating the acute cardiac status of a patient in the SICU as well as its use in general critical care for assessing the thoracic, abdominal and vascular systems.
authors: Division of Trauma Acute Care and Critical Care Surgery, Penn State University Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA 17033, USA. dgalvan@hmc.psu.edu
authors: Dan A
authors: DA
authors: Galvan
authors: Kazuhide
authors: K
authors: Matsushima
authors: Heidi L
authors: HL
authors: Frankel
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000379:methods; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods*; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D013909:Thorax / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*; D014680:Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging