Detecting Pulmonary Edema in Obstetric Patients Through Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasonography.
Point-of-care lung ultrasonography is used in critical care settings for evaluating respiratory symptoms. Lung ultrasonography is sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of pulmonary edema in nonpregnant patients but is not well-studied in pregnancy.



Lung ultrasonography was performed using a portable ultrasound machine with a 2- to 5-MHz curvilinear probe that is available on many labor and delivery units.



Lung ultrasonography guided management decisions in a case of shortness of breath after induction of labor for preeclampsia and a case of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count syndrome complicated by pulmonary edema. Findings expedited diagnosis and treatment in both cases.



Lung ultrasonography has potential to be used in obstetrics for detecting pulmonary edema in preeclampsia. It is a well-established tool in critical care settings and use in obstetric patients should be studied given the availability of ultrasonography on labor and delivery and the importance of timely care for critically ill pregnant patients. It is a safe modality to evaluate pregnant women with respiratory symptoms and the necessary skills can be easily acquired by obstetric practitioners familiar with obstetric ultrasonography. Training of obstetric practitioners in this application of ultrasonography is needed.
Divisions of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Hofstra-Northwell School of Medicine, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park, New York.
Sarah
S
Pachtman
Seth
S
Koenig
Natalie
N
Meirowitz
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*