Documento de consenso para la formación en ecografía en Medicina Intensiva. Proceso asistencial, uso de la técnica y adquisición de competencias profesionales

Abdominal ultrasound and VExUS score in critical care

The use of ultrasound while caring for critically ill patients has been increasing exponentially in the last two decades and now is an essential component of intensive care practice. Abdominal ultrasound is an established technique in other specialties, but its use in intensive care has lagged behind other ultrasound modalities. However, its potential role in the diagnosis and management of patients will make it an invaluable tool for intensivists. The main use of abdominal ultrasound at the bedside is for free fluid detection in trauma patients. But abdominal ultrasound can also help us diagnose patients with abdominal pain, hypovolemia or anuria, and it can guide us during procedures such as paracentesis or bladder catheter and gastric tube placement.

Role of ultrasound in acute respiratory failure and in the weaning of mechanical ventilation

Comprehensive ultrasound assessment has become an essential tool to facilitate the diagnosis and therapeutic management of critically ill patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF). There is evidence supporting the use of ultrasound for the diagnosis of pneumothorax, acute respiratory distress syndrome, cardiogenic pulmonary edema, pneumonia and acute pulmonary thromboembolism, and in patients with COVID-19. In addition, in recent years, the use of ultrasound to evaluate responses to treatment in critically ill patients with ARF has been developed, providing a noninvasive tool for titrating positive end-expiratory pressure, monitoring recruitment maneuvers and response to prone position, as well as for facilitating weaning from mechanical ventilation. The objective of this review is to summarize the basic concepts on the utility of ultrasound in the diagnosis and monitoring of critically ill patients with ARF.

A prospective randomized study to compare standard versus intensive training strategies on long-term improvement in critical care ultrasonography proficiency

BACKGROUND

Critical care ultrasonography (CCUS) has become a daily diagnostic tool for intensivists. While the effective training measures for ultrasound novices are discussed widely, the best curriculum for the novices to retain a long-term proficiency is yet to be determined.

METHODS

Critical care medicine fellows who underwent an introductory CCUS workshop were randomly allocated into the standard training (ST) or the intensive training (IT) group. The IT group received an 8-h training besides the standardized fellowship education that the ST group received. Participant improvement in CCUS proficiency tests (maximum score, 200) after a 6-month training intervention was compared between the groups. CCUS examinations performed in patient care were observed over 2 years.

RESULTS

Twenty-one fellows were allocated into the ST (n = 10) or the IT (n = 11) group. No statistically significant difference was observed in the median (interquartile range [IQR]) improvement in CCUS proficiency tests between the ST group and the IT group: 18 (3.8-38) versus 31 (21-46) (P = .09). Median (IQR) test scores were significantly higher in postintervention than preintervention for both groups: ST, 103 (87-116) versus 124 (111-143) (P = .02), and IT, 100 (87-113) versus 143 (121-149) (P < .01). Participating fellows performed 226 examinations over the 2 years of observation.

CONCLUSIONS

Fellows improved their CCUS proficiency significantly after 6-month training intervention. However, an additional 8-h training did not provide further benefits.

Evaluation of Training in Pediatric Ultrasound-guided Vascular Cannulation Using a Model

Background:

The study objective was to evaluate a training program and a training model for pediatric ultrasound-guided vascular cannulation (USGVC) by inexperienced operators.

Methods:

An observational descriptive study was conducted at the pediatric intensive care unit of a level-III hospital. The study protocol comprised the following parts: (1) pretraining test; (2) theory and practice training session consisting of an explanation of basic vascular ultrasound concepts plus performing vascular cannulation in a model; (3) posttraining test; and (4) evaluation of the training model.

Results:

A total of 25 health-care professionals participated in the study. All of them possessed the skills to locate vessels and ultrasound planes, and they performed USGVC using the training model. On a 1–5 scale, the model was rated to have 87.6% fidelity with real pediatric patients; the best regarded aspect of it was utility (93%). Differences were found between pre- and post-training scores: 2.72 ± 0.84 versus 4.60 ± 0.50; P < 0.001 (95% confidence interval: −2.28, −1.47). Altogether, 300 ultrasound-guided cannulation procedures were carried out (12 per participant) distributed along the longitudinal axis in plane and the transverse axis out of plane, with 150 punctures in each of them. The success rate for USGVC in the training model was 79.7%, the mean time for the procedure was 115.6 ± 114.9 s, and the mean time for achieving successful cannulation was 87.69 ± 82.81 s. The mean number of trials needed for successful USGVC was 1.49 ± 0.86.

Conclusion:

After undergoing the theory–practice training, participants: (a) improved their knowledge of ultrasound-guided vascular access; (b) positively evaluated the USGVC training model, in particular its utility and fidelity as compared with cannulation in pediatric patients; and (c) achieved a high USGVC success rate in a relatively short time.

Training strategies for point of care ultrasound in the ICU

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Ultrasound in critical care medicine (CCUS) is a relatively young tool that has been evolving rapidly as skillsets, applications and technology continue to progress. Although ultrasound is identified as a core competency in intensive care unit (ICU) training, there remains significant variability and inconsistencies in the delivery of ultrasound training. The goal of this narrative review is to explore areas of consensus and highlight areas where consensus is lacking to bring attention to future directions of ultrasound training in critical care medicine.

RECENT FINDINGS

There exists considerable variation in competencies identified as basic for CCUS. Recent efforts by the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine serve as the most up to date iteration however implementation is still limited by regional expertise and practice patterns. Major barriers to ultrasound training in the ICU include a lack of available experts for bedside teaching and a lack of familiarity with new technology.

SUMMARY

Though international uptake of CCUS has made many gains in the past 20 years, further adoption of technology will be required to overcome the traditional barriers of CCUS training. Although the availability and time constraints of experts will remain a limitation even with wireless capabilities, the ability to expand beyond the physical constraints of an ultrasound machine will vastly benefit efforts to standardize training and improve access to knowledge.

[Ultrasound in the management of the critically ill patient with SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19): narrative review]

La infección por SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) se caracteriza por producir en las formas graves, un cuadro de insuficiencia respiratoria que puede evolucionar hacia neumonía y síndrome de distrés respiratorio agudo (SDRA), presentar complicaciones como fenómenos trombóticos y disfunción cardiaca, lo que motiva el ingreso en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI). La ecografía, convertida en una herramienta de uso habitual en la UCI, puede ser muy útil durante la pandemia por COVID-19 ya que la información obtenida por el clínico puede ser interpretada e integrada en la valoración global durante la exploración del paciente. Este documento describe algunas de sus aplicaciones, adaptadas al paciente crítico con COVID-19, con el objetivo de proporcionar una guía a los médicos responsables. Alguna de sus aplicaciones desde el ingreso en la UCI incluyen: confirmar la correcta posición del tubo endotraqueal, facilitar la inserción segura de las vías e identificar complicaciones y fenómenos trombóticos. Además, la ecografía pleuropulmonar puede ser una alternativa diagnóstica válida que permite evaluar el grado de afectación pulmonar, mediante el análisis de patrones ecográficos específicos, la identificación de derrame pleural y barotrauma. La ecocardiografía proporciona información acerca de la afectación cardiaca, detección del cor pulmonale y estados de shock.

Impact of goal directed basic echocardiography on diagnostic and therapeutic management in an ICU of cardiac surgery

OBJECTIVE

Few studies have evaluated the impact in diagnosis and therapeutic management of basic transthoracic echocardiography in postoperated cardiac surgery. The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of basic transthoracic echocardiography in the management of this kind of patients.

DESIGN

Over an 18-month period, we prospectively studied all patients admitted to a university hospital Intensive Care Unit following heart surgery. We evaluated clinically all of them to establish a diagnosis and an initial treatment. We performed basic transthoracic echocardiography for a diagnosis evaluation that was compared with clinical diagnosis. If they differed, we assessed to change treatment and evaluate the therapeutic response. We performed a descriptive analysis.

RESULTS

We included 136 patients and performed 203 echocardiographies. Transthoracic echocardiography differed of initial diagnosis in 101 (49.8%) echocardiographies. In 56 of these echocardiographies (55.44%), we could give an alternative diagnosis with a change in the treatment in 30patients (53,6%). We found clinical improvement in 26 patients (86.76%) in the following 30-60minutes.

CONCLUSIONS

Basic transthoracic echocardiography is useful in diagnostic and therapeutic management of postoperative cardiac surgery patients. We could not confirm the clinical diagnosis in half of the performed echocardiographies. In most patients in whom we observe a change in the diagnosis due to echocardiography, we observed a clinical improvement after changing the treatment.

[Point-of-care ultrasound: Is it time to include it in the paediatric specialist training program?]

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has become an essential tool for clinical practice in recent years. It should be considered as an extension of the standard physical examination, which complements and enriches it without substituting it. POCUS enables the physician to answer specific clinical questions about the diagnosis, to understand better the pathophysiological context, to orientate the treatment, and to perform invasive procedures more safely. Despite its current use in many centres, and in most paediatric sub-specialties, there are currently no specific recommendations addressing educational aims in the different training areas, as well as methodology practice and the certification process in paediatrics. These ingredients are essential for POCUS implementation in daily practice, with a quality guarantee in terms of efficiency and safety. Several POCUS experts in different paediatric medicine environments performed a non-systematic review addressing the main paediatric POCUS applications in paediatrics. The lack of educational programs in POCUS in Spain is also discussed, and the experience in the United States of America in this topic is provided. Considering the current situation of POCUS in paediatrics, we strongly believe that it is urgent to establish evidence-based recommendations for POCUS training that should be the base to develop educational programs and to include POCUS in the paediatric residency training.

[Usefulness and reliability of point of care ultrasound in Family Medicine: Focused cardiac and lung ultrasound]

The family doctor incorporates clinical ultrasound as an exploration and diagnosis technique in his care activity, the same way as the rest of the specialists. His generalist role makes him a potential user of all possible applications of this technique, which can provide a high impact on his ability to manage, focus and solve a large number of clinical situations. In this article we focus on assessing the usefulness and reliability of clinical ultrasound performed by the family doctor in their most novel aspects such as focused cardiac ultrasound and lung ultrasound.

Assessing how emergency and trauma ultrasonography is taught to medical students

Objective

To evaluate a method aimed at teaching ultrasound techniques to medical students in emergency settings.

Methods

A prospective study conducted with 66 sixth-year undergraduate medical students. Students participated in theory and practicing sessions with a 5-hour load; knowledge acquisition was assessed through pre- and post-course and 90-day tests. A questionnaire were distributed to the students after course completion for theoretical and practical knowledge assessment.

Results

Average pre-test grade in theoretical content evaluation was 4.9, compared to 7.6 right after course completion, and 5.9 within 90 days (p<0.001). Questions addressing technical aspects and image acquisition were mostly answered correctly; in contrast, questions related to clinical management of patients tended to be answered incorrectly. In practical evaluation, 54 students (81.8%) were able to correctly interpret images.

Conclusion

Ultrasound applicability and image acquisition techniques can be taught to medical students in emergency settings. However, teaching should be focused on technical aspects rather than clinical management of patients.

Evaluation of intensivist basic training in transthoracic echocardiography in the postoperative period of heart surgery

BACKGROUND

Transthoracic echocardiography can significantly change the management of many critical patients, and is being incorporated into many Intensive Care Units (ICU). Very few studies have examined the feasibility and impact of intensivists performing basic transthoracic echocardiography upon the management of critical patients after cardiac surgery. The present study therefore evaluates the quality of acquisition and accuracy of intensivist interpretation of basic transthoracic echocardiograms in the postoperative period of heart surgery.

METHODS

Over an 8-month period we prospectively studied 148 patients within 24h after admission to a university hospital ICU following heart surgery. We performed basic transthoracic echocardiography to evaluate ventricular function, pericardial effusion, hypovolemia and mitral regurgitation. Cohen's Kappa was used to compare transthoracic echocardiograms obtained by intensivists with basic versus advanced training. Concordance on image acquisition and interpretation was evaluated.

RESULTS

We analyzed data of adequate transthoracic echocardiograms in 148 patients (92.5%). Apical four-chamber view and advanced trainees obtained better quality images. Concordance was good for right and left ventricular function (kappa=0.7±0.14 and 0.87±0.05, respectively), and moderate for the remaining parameters. Interpretation concordance between basic and advanced training intensivists was good (kappa=0.73±0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Intensivists with basic training in echocardiography are capable of performing and interpreting echocardiograms in most patients during the postoperative period of heart surgery.

[Recommendations for education in ultrasound in medical intensive care and emergency medicine: position paper of DGIIN, DEGUM and DGK]

Point-of-care ultrasound in acute care medicine is a prerequisite for diagnosis and therapy monitoring of critically ill patients. There is currently no uniform education strategy for medical intensive care and emergency medicine. As part of the basic level, the trainee takes theoretical and clinical training covering abdominal and thoracic ultrasonography and focused cardiovascular ultrasound. In a second step, special knowledge and skills can be acquired at an expert level. This two-stage concept is intended to guarantee quality assurance in ultrasound education in medical intensive care and emergency medicine.

Point-of-Care Ultrasonography for Primary Care Physicians and General Internists

Point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) is a safe and rapidly evolving diagnostic modality that is now utilized by health care professionals from nearly all specialties. Technological advances have improved the portability of equipment, enabling ultrasound imaging to be executed at the bedside and thereby allowing internists to make timely diagnoses and perform ultrasound-guided procedures. We reviewed the literature on the POCUS applications most relevant to the practice of internal medicine. The use of POCUS can immediately narrow differential diagnoses by building on the clinical information revealed by the traditional physical examination and refining clinical decision making for further management. We describe 2 common patient scenarios (heart failure and sepsis) to highlight the impact of POCUS performed by internists on efficiency, diagnostic accuracy, resource utilization, and radiation exposure. Using POCUS to guide procedures has been found to reduce procedure-related complications, along with costs and lengths of stay associated with these complications. Despite several undisputed advantages of POCUS, barriers to implementation must be considered. Most importantly, the utility of POCUS depends on the experience and skills of the operator, which are affected by the availability of training and the cost of ultrasound devices. Additional system barriers include availability of templates for documentation, electronic storage for image archiving, and policies and procedures for quality assurance and billing. Integration of POCUS into the practice of internal medicine is an inevitable change that will empower internists to improve the care of their patients at the bedside.

Ultrasound-guided vascular cannulation in critical care patients: A practical review

Vascular cannulation is common practice in critical care, and is traditionally performed using the landmark technique - though failures and complications are not uncommon. In this regard, ultrasound guided vascular cannulation (USGVC) has been shown to improve the procedure success rate and reduce its associated complications. This review addresses the fundamental aspects of USGVC and discusses some training issues related to this technique which is currently regarded as essential for intensivists.

Clinical ultrasound in the ICU: changing a medical paradigm

In recent decades there has been an evolution from the traditional paradigm of sporadic ultrasound performed by radiologists and cardiologists in the ICU to clinical ultrasound performed by intensivists as an extension of patient evaluation rather than as a complementary test. Such clinical ultrasound aims to diagnose and treat the patient directly. All ultrasound modalities could be interesting in the ICU, either helping in decision making or guiding procedures. Clinical ultrasound training should include all the possibilities of ultrasound, and the tutelage of other trained intensivists and other specialists with more experience should be available at all times. Training should be phased into basic, advanced and expert levels, with adjustment to the contents of the CoBaTrICE Project and the recommendations of the SEMICYUC.