Echocardiography in the intensive care unit:

[Cardiopulmonary monitoring in gastroenterological and renal emergencies]

Predominantly elderly and multimorbide patients require frequently intensive care observation and treatment due to acute gastrointestinal and renal disease. Manifest circulatory and rhythm instability, acute heart failure and severe metabolic or electrolyte derangements present indications for submission to a critical care unit. Stabilization of vital functions, control of specific therapeutic procedures (e. g. renal replacement therapy), and early recognition of secondary complications belong to the tasks of intensive care. Beyond a baseline monitoring available procedures comprises a broad spectrum from pulseoxymetrie to pulmonary artery catheter monitoring depending of the need of the individual patient.