Hallazgos imagenológicos torácicos en seguimiento de pacientes con síndrome PostCovid-19 / Thoracic imagenological findings in follow-up of patients with Post-Covid-19 syndrome

Objetivo: Describir los hallazgos imagenológicos en radiografías de tórax y ecografías pulmonares de pacientes con síndrome post-COVID-19. Métodos: estudio descriptivo, prospectivo y transversal que incluyó pacientes con síndrome post-COVID-19, sometidos a radiografías de tórax y ecografías pulmonares en el Servicio de Neumonología Clínica del Hospital Dr. José Ignacio Baldo, entre enero y octubre de 2022, con la finalidad de establecer su evolución imagenológica pulmonar. Se utilizó estadística descriptiva, chi-cuadrado de Pearson y prueba kappa de concordancia, considerando significativo un valor de p < 0,05. Resultados: La muestra consistió en 58 pacientes con una edad media de 55 ± 13 años, predominando el sexo femenino (58,6%). El 60,3% mostró alteraciones en la radiografía de tórax; un 74,3% con patrón intersticial bilateral y un 25,7% con patrón intersticial unilateral. La ecografía reveló patrón intersticial en el 43,1% de los casos y se observaron dos microconsolidaciones subpleurales. Conclusiones: Las radiografías de tórax y las ecografías pulmonares son herramientas imagenológicas eficaces, accesibles y económicas para detectar alteraciones en pacientes con síndrome post-COVID-19. (AU)

Objective: To describe imaging findings in chest radiographs and lung ultrasounds of patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome. Methods: A descriptive, prospective, and cross-sectional study was carried out that included patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome, who underwent chest radiographs and lung ultrasounds at the Clinical Pneumonology Service of Dr. José Ignacio Baldo Hospital, between January and October 2022. Descriptive statistics, Pearson's chi-square, and kappa concordance test were used, considering a p-value < 0.05 significant. Results: The sample consisted of 58 patients with an average age of 55 ± 13 years, with a predominance of females (58.6%). 60.3% showed alterations in the chest radiograph; 74.3% with a bilateral interstitial pattern and 25.7% with a unilateral interstitial pattern. The ultrasound revealed an interstitial pattern in 43.1% of the cases and two subpleural microconsolidations were observed. Conclusions: Chest radiographs and lung ultrasounds are effective, accessible, and economical imaging tools to detect alterations in patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome. (AU)

Study on the features of lung point-of-care ultrasound in acute Covid-19 and its correlation with clini-cal indicators / 现代医院

Objective To investigate the correlation between lung Point-of-Care ultrasound score and clinical indicators by analyzing the features of Point-of-Care ultrasound in acute COVID-19.Methods 30 COVID-19 patients admitted to the Affili-ated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College were selected,lung Point-of-Care ultrasound sequential scan was conducted in pa-tients with the BLUE-PLUS regimen and the lung Point-of-Care ultrasound semi-quantitative scoring was performed.The clinical indicators of partial pressure of carbon dioxide,anion gap,PH value,standard bicarbonate,oxygen partial pressure,oxygen satu-ration,the lymphocyte percentage(LYM% ),the lymphocytic absolute value(LYM#),the clinical typing,hospital stay,etc were collected.The lung Point-of-Care ultrasound score of acute COVID-19 patients in different clinical typing was compared and the features of Point-of-Care ultrasound in acute COVID-19 were analyzed.The ROC curve was constructed to analyze the effec-tiveness of lung Point-of-Care ultrasound score for the typing of normal type and(critical)severe type.Results In 30 cases of COVID-19 patients during the acute period,there were 29 patients with at least one lung point involvement on both sides(96.7% ),1 case with at least one lung point involvement on one side(3.3% )and 15 cases showed Lung consolidation＞1cm at least one lung point.Comparison of the same lung point between the left and right lung was performed and there was statistical-ly significant difference in the total scores between the left and right lung(P＜0.05).Comparison of total scores of different lung points in patients with different clinical types showed there was statistically significant difference in the total scores of left lung,the total scores of right lung,the total scores of whole lung between normal type and critical type(P＜0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)for the diagnosis of normal and(critical)severe types based on the total lung scores is 0.870.The total scores of the left lung,right lung,and whole lung were not correlated with LYM% ,LYM#,and anion gap(P＞0.05)were positively cor-related with clinical typing and hospital stay,and negatively correlated with standard bicarbonate(P＜0.05).The total scores of the left lung and whole lung were negatively correlated with PH value,oxygen partial pressure,and oxygen saturation,but posi-tively correlated with partial pressure of carbon dioxide(P＜0.05).The total scores of the right lung was not correlated with PH value,partial pressure of carbon dioxide,oxygen partial pressure,and oxygen saturation(P＞0.05).Conclusion There were differences in Point-of-Care ultrasound features among patients with different clinical types of acute COVID-19,Lung Point-of-Care ultrasound semi-quantitative scoring is correlated with pH value,partial pressure of carbon dioxide,standard bicarbonate,ox-ygen partial pressure,oxygen saturation,clinical typing and hospital stay.The patients of critical type have higher scores,lung Point-of-Care ultrasound is expected to be used for clinical typing and condition evaluation of acute COVID-19 patients.

The predictive values of lung ultrasound score and Downes score for respiratory support strategies in newborns / 中国新生儿科杂志

Objective:To study the predictive values of lung ultrasound (LUS) score and Downes score in selecting respiratory support strategies for newborns with dyspnea.Methods:From September 2021 to July 2022, newborns admitted to our hospital with dyspnea were selected and assigned into the non-invasive respiratory support (N) group, invasive respiratory support (I) group and control (C) group based on the respiratory support strategies on admission. LUS scores and Downes scores at 6, 24, and 48 h after birth were recorded. ROC curves were drawn to determine the predictive values of LUS and Downes scores for respiratory support strategies.Results:A total of 263 cases were enrolled, including 105 cases in N group, 56 cases in I group and 102 cases in C group. The differences of LUS and Downes scores between the three groups at the same timepoint were statistically significant with I group had the highest scores, N group second and C group lowest ( P<0.05). LUS and Downes scores within each group at different timepoints were significantly different ( P<0.05).In all three groups, LUS and Downes scores were decreased with longer duration of treatment. LUS score, Downes score and PaO 2/FiO 2 were positively correlated with each other ( P<0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) of LUS score and Downes score predicting non-invasive respiratory support within 6 h after birth were 0.900 (95% CI 0.861-0.940, P<0.05) and 0.889 (95% CI 0.847-0.931, P<0.05), respectively, with the same cutoff of 2.5. The AUC of the combination of LUS and Downes scores predicting non-invasive respiratory support was 0.944 (95% CI 0.915-0.973, P<0.05). The AUC of LUS score and Downes score predicting invasive respiratory support were 0.979 (95% CI 0.963-0.995, P<0.05) and 0.831 (95% CI 0.760-0.902, P<0.05), respectively, with the same cutoff of 5.5. The AUC of the combination of LUS and Downes scores predicting invasive respiratory support was 0.985 (95% CI 0.972-0.998, P<0.05). Conclusions:Both LUS score and Downes score have certain predictive values for respiratory support strategies in newborns with dyspnea.

Management of lung diseases under ultrasound monitoring: potential to make bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants as an avoidable disease / 中国当代儿科杂志

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is the most common chronic lung disease in preterm infants. Despite significant progress in the understanding of its etiology, mechanisms, prevention, and treatment, the prognosis remains poor. BPD not only has a high mortality rate but also causes persistent respiratory, neurological, and cardiovascular impairments in survivors. The author's team has successfully prevented the occurrence of BPD by managing neonatal lung diseases under lung ultrasound monitoring for nearly 7 years, opening up a new approach in BPD prevention. This article provides a brief overview of the approach, aiming to facilitate further research and provide more scientifically sound management strategies to prevent or minimize the occurrence of BPD.

Correlation between diaphragmatic-rapid shallow breathing index and lung ultrasound score in elderly patients with mechanical ventilation and its predictive value for weaning results / 中华危重病急救医学

Objective:To investigate the correlation between diaphragmatic-rapid shallow breathing index (D-RSBI) and lung ultrasound score (LUS) in elderly patients with mechanical ventilation and its predictive value for weaning results.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted. The clinical data of elderly patients (age > 60 years old) with invasive positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) admitted to the department of intensive care unit (ICU) of the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University from January 2021 to June 2022 were enrolled. According to the outcome of withdrawal, the patients were divided into successful and failed groups. The differences in gender, age, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHEⅡ), D-RSBI and LUS before weaning and extubation were compared between the two groups. Pearson correlation was used to analyze the correlation between D-RSBI and LUS. The predictive value of D-RSBI and LUS on weaning results of elderly patients with IPPV was analyzed by receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve).Results:A total of 398 elderly patients with IPPV were enrolled, including 300 successful weaning patients and 98 failed weaning patients. There were no significant differences in gender and age between the failed group and successful group [male: 55.1% (54/98) vs. 59.0% (177/300), age (years old): 67.02±5.03 vs. 66.96±4.99, both P > 0.05]. APACHEⅡ score in the failed group was significantly higher than that in the successful group (17.09±3.30 vs. 16.06±3.81, P < 0.05), and the D-RSBI and LUS score before extubation were significantly higher than those in the successful group [D-RSBI (time·min -1·mm -1): 2.19±0.33 vs. 1.60±0.22, LUS: 17.30±3.04 vs. 11.97±3.20, both P < 0.01]. All patients showed a significant positive correlation between D-RSBI and LUS score ( r = 0.406, P = 0.000). ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of D-RSBI for predicting weaning outcomes in elderly IPPV patients was 0.920, with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of 0.881-0.958 and P = 0.000. When the cut-off value was 1.85 times·min -1·mm -1, the sensitivity was 88.7% and the specificity was 86.7%. The AUC of LUS score for predicting weaning outcome in elderly IPPV patients was 0.875, with a 95% CI of 0.839-0.912 and P = 0.000. When the cut-off value was 14.50, the sensitivity was 75.7% and the specificity was 84.7%. Conclusion:There is a significant correlation between D-RSBI and LUS score in elderly mechanically ventilated patients, both of them can predict weaning outcome in elderly patients with mechanical ventilation.

Predictive value of lung ultrasound score on the severity of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome / 中国现代医生

@#Objective To explore the predictive value of lung ultrasound score on the severity of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome(NRDS).Methods The clinical data of 65 children with NRDS in our NICU from July 2021 to July 2022 were retrospectively analyzed,and 65 children were included in the NRDS group,while 40 children with other common pulmonary diseases(neonatal wet lung and infectious pneumonia)were selected as the other pulmonary disease group during the same period,and all children were examined by pulmonary ultrasound and X-ray to observe the children in both groups.The lung conditions of the two groups of children were observed:abnormal pleural line,disappearance of A line,isolated B line,fused B line,diffuse B line,lung consolidation,with or without bronchial inflation sign,and other lung ultrasound manifestations.The lung ultrasound scores of the two groups of children were compared,and the X-ray grading distribution of children in the NRDS group was analyzed,correlation between lung ultrasound scoring and X-ray grading was used by Pearson correlation analysis.The clinical value of lung ultrasound score in the differential diagnosis of NRDS and the severity of the disease was analyzed by receiver operator characteristic(ROC)curve.Results The proportion of solid lung,abnormal pleural line,disappearance of A-line,white lung detection,fused B-line,and bronchial inflation sign was significantly higher in the NRDS group than in the other lung disease groups,and the proportion of isolated B-line and double lung point detection was significantly lower than in the other lung disease groups,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).The lung ultrasound scores of both lungs,left lung,right lung,bilateral lung,and base of both lungs were significantly higher in the NRDS group than in the other lung disease groups(P<0.05).With the increase of X-ray grading,the lung ultrasound score gradually increased,and there was a statistically significant difference between groups at each grade(P<0.05).Pearson correlation analysis showed that there was a significant positive correlation between lung ultrasound score and X-ray grade(r=0.704,P<0.05).The area under curve(AUC)of lung ultrasound score in differentiating NRDS from common lung diseases was 0.907,with sensitivity and specificity of 89.0%and 92.5%,respectively;the AUC of mild and moderate,moderate and severe NRDS in the differential diagnosis by lung ultrasound score was 0.914 and 0.933,respectively,which had high clinical value.Conclusion The lung ultrasound score has certain value in identifying NRDS.The lung ultrasound score can quantitatively assess the changes in the condition of NRDS,and the lung ultrasound and X-ray grading have good consistency,it has the advantages of radiation free,fast,and intuitive,and can be used as an effective method for early diagnosis of NRDS and evaluation of the severity of the disease.

Ultrasound evaluation of diaphragm function in patients with cervical spinal cord injury: case report

Abstract Ultrasound evaluation of diaphragm function allows the detection of diaphragm dysfunction and the adaptation of ventilatory support in patients admitted to intensive care units. The studied patient had a C3 spinal cord injury. Ultrasound evaluation of diaphragm mobility showed that the patient suffered diaphragm dysfunction. A tracheotomy was indicated, and early ventilatory support was initiated. Ultrasound evaluation of diaphragm function in patients with cervical spinal cord injury is a useful and simple technique. It provides fast and reliable data for the diagnosis of respiratory insufficiency of neuromuscular origin.

Avaliação ecocardiográfica do paciente com choque circulatório: uma abordagem contemporânea / Echocardiographic evaluation of a patient in circulatory shock: a contemporary approach

O choque circulatório é caracterizado por um estado de ineficiência da oferta de oxigênio tecidual e disfunção múltipla de órgãos. Necessita de diagnóstico e terapias rápidas e assertivas para redução de sua alta letalidade. O ecocardiograma já se estabeleceu como método fundamental no manejo do paciente com choque circulatório. Auxilia de forma crucial no diagnóstico etiológico, prognóstico, monitorização hemodinâmica e estimativa volêmica desses pacientes, tendo como potenciais vantagens a portabilidade, ausência de contraste ou radiação, baixo custo e avaliação em tempo real e de forma seriada. Em ambiente de UTI, demonstra alta correlação com formas invasivas (cateter de artéria pulmonar) e minimamente invasivas (termodiluição transpulmonar) de monitorização hemodinâmica. Atualmente, outras técnicas, como ultrassom pulmonar e VExUS score, têm se agregado à avaliação ecocardiográfica, tornando o método mais abrangente e acurado. Essas técnicas acrescentam dados relevantes na estimativa da volemia do paciente crítico, influenciando na decisão probabilística de fluidoresponsividade e agregando informações no raciocínio diagnóstico das causas do choque, otimizando o prognóstico desses pacientes. O point of care ultrasound (POCUS) tem como objetivo tornar mais acessível, ao médico não especialista em radiologia, habilidades para se obter informações a beira leito, por meio do ultrassom, que o ajudem na tomada de decisões. Esse artigo aborda as diversas aplicabilidades do ecocardiograma em pacientes com choque circulatório, incluindo avaliação prognóstica e diagnóstico etiológico por meio dos parâmetros encontrados nas principais causas de choque, além da monitorização hemodinâmica, avaliação de fluido-responsividade e utilização prática do ultrassom pulmonar.(AU)

Circulatory shock is characterized by a state of inefficient tissue oxygen supply and multiple organ dysfunction. Patients with circulatory shock require fast and assertive diagnosis and therapies to reduce its high lethality. Echocardiography has already been established as a fundamental method in managing patients with circulatory shock. It provides crucial assistance in etiological diagnosis, prognosis, hemodynamic monitoring, and volume estimation in these patients; its potential advantages include portability, absence of contrast or radiation, low cost, and real-time serial assessment. In the intensive care unit setting, it demonstrates a high correlation with invasive (pulmonary artery catheter) and minimally invasive (transpulmonary thermodilution) forms of hemodynamic monitoring. Currently, other techniques, such as pulmonary ultrasound and VExUS score, have been added to echocardiographic assessment, making the method more comprehensive and accurate. These techniques add relevant data to blood volume estimation in critical patients, influencing the probabilistic decision of fluid responsiveness and providing additional information in the diagnostic reasoning of the causes of shock, thus optimizing these patients' prognosis. Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) aims to make abilities to obtain information at the bedside more accessible to physicians who are not specialists in radiology, by means of ultrasound, which assists them in decision-making. This article addresses the diverse applications of echocardiography in patients with circulatory shock, including prognostic evaluation and etiological diagnosis by means of the parameters found in the main causes of shock, in addition to hemodynamic monitoring, evaluation of fluid responsiveness, and practical use of pulmonary ultrasound.(AU)

Ecografía pulmonar y neumonitis por aspiración de queroseno

Introducción: La ingestión de queroseno conduce a la aparición de diversas complicaciones. Dada su baja viscosidad, en el sistema respiratorio es capaz de llegar a las vías aéreas distales y provocar lesión pulmonar, lo cual requiere atención urgente. La ecografía pulmonar, en la emergencia médica es un pilar que ha aumentado la capacidad de diagnóstico, guía la toma de decisiones y permite estratificar el pronóstico del paciente. Objetivo: Presentar un paciente con neumonitis química por aspiración de queroseno, sus características clínicas y procedimiento ecográfico pulmonar empleado. Caso clínico: Paciente masculino de 68 años de edad con antecedentes de alcoholismo y epilepsia, que hace tratamiento irregular. Asistió al servicio de urgencias con dificultad respiratoria de varios días de evolución y el precedente de ingesta de queroseno, con broncoaspiración. Se le realizó ecografía pulmonar, según el protocolo Bedside Lung Ultrasound in Emergency; se observó síndrome intersticio alveolar grave, engrosamiento de la línea pleural, microconsolidaciones subpleurales y pérdida grave de la aireación pulmonar. Se le instauró tratamiento con ventilación mecánica invasiva y antibiótico terapia; mejoró el puntaje de aireación pulmonar y el paciente se recuperó. Conclusiones: La insuficiencia respiratoria aguda secundaria a neumonitis química por queroseno, es una entidad clínica compleja en su evaluación; el uso de la ecografía pulmonar constituye una herramienta vital que permite valorar en tiempo real el parénquima pulmonar y la pleura, para tomar decisiones terapéuticas oportunas y precisas.

Introduction: The ingestion of kerosene leads to the appearance of various complications. Given its low viscosity, in the respiratory system, it is capable of reaching the distal airways and causing lung injury, which requires urgent attention. Lung ultrasound, in medical emergencies, is a pillar that has increased diagnostic capacity, guides decision-making and allows stratifying the patient's prognosis. Objective: To present a patient with chemical pneumonitis due to aspiration of kerosene, its clinical characteristics and pulmonary ultrasound procedure used. Clinical case: 68-year-old male patient with a history of alcoholism and epilepsy, which undergoes irregular treatment. He attended Emergency with respiratory distress of several days of evolution and the precedent of ingestion of kerosene, with bronchial aspiration. Lung ultrasound was performed, according to the Bedside Lung Ultrasound in Emergency protocol; severe alveolar interstitial syndrome, thickening of the pleural line, subpleural micro-consolidations, and severe loss of pulmonary aeration were observed. Treatment with invasive mechanical ventilation and antibiotic therapy was established; the pulmonary aeration score improved, and the patient recovered. Conclusions: Acute respiratory failure secondary to chemical pneumonitis due to kerosene is a complex clinical entity in its evaluation; the use of lung ultrasound is a vital tool that allows the lung parenchyma and pleura to be assessed in real time, in order to make timely and precise therapeutic decisions.

Correlation analysis between lung ultrasound score and cumulative fluid balance and their predictive value of extubation outcome in patients with intro-abdominal infection / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective:To investigate the correlation between lung ultrasound score at the end of spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) and cumulative fluid balance at 48 h and their predictive value of extubation outcome in patients with intro-abdominal infection (IAI) under mechanical ventilation.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted. Patients with IAI under mechanical ventilation for more than 48 h were collected from three hospitals from October 1, 2017 to September 30, 2018. Routine demographic variables and clinical characteristics were recorded. The patients were divided into the successful extubation group and failed extubation group according to whether they could maintain spontaneous breathing for 48 h after extubation. LUS at the end of SBT (before extubation) and cumulative fluid balance at 48 h were compared between the two groups. LUS and cumulative fluid balance at 48 h were analyzed by bivariate correlation analysis, and their correlations with shallow fast breathing index (RSBI) and precursor protein of BNP (Pro-BNP) were analyzed. The predictive value of LUS at the end of SBT (before extubation) and cumulative fluid balance for extubation failure were analyzed by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC).Results:Totally 207 patients were enrolled. There were significant differences in LUS before extubation [12 (10, 14) vs. 16 (14, 17) points], cumulative fluid balance [-318 (-1 116, 200) mL vs. 1 140 (685, 1 614) mL], RSBI [60 (55, 66) (times/min)/L vs. 70 (65, 78) (times/min)/L], pro-BNP [250 (122, 1 292) pg/mL vs. 1156 (285, 4 346) pg/mL], IAP >15 mmHg [32.8% vs. 46.6%], and ICU stay [8 (6, 12) days vs. 11 (8, 14) days] ( P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the COPD history, RSBI, LUS at the end of SBT, and cumulative fluid balance at 48 h before extubation were independent risk factors for extubation failure. Correlation analysis showed that LUS was moderately correlated with cumulative fluid balance at 48 h ( r=0.41, P<0.001), weakly correlated with RSBI ( r=0.381, P<0.001), and weakly correlated with pro-BNP ( r=0.220, P<0.001). Cumulative fluid balance at 48 h was weakly correlated with RSBI ( r=0.31, P<0.001), but not with pro-BNP. LUS at the end of SBT and cumulative liquid balance at 48 h had predictive value for extubation failure [AUC=0.87 (95% CI: 0.82-0.91), AUC=0.89 (95% CI: 0.85-0.94), P<0.001]. Conclusions:There is a moderate correlation between LUS at the end of SBT (before extubation) and 48 h cumulative fluid balance in patients with IAI and mechanical ventilation. LUS at the end of SBT (before extubation) and cumulative fluid balance at 48 h have some predictive value for extubation failure.

Correlation between lung ultrasound score and adverse prognosis in shock patients in intensive care unit / 中国医师杂志

Objective:To investigate the correlation of lung ultrasound score and poor prognosis in internal shock patients in intensive care unit (ICU).Methods:The clinical data of 200 shock patients admitted to the ICU of Wuzhou Red Cross Hospital from July 2019 to June 2021 were selected for study. According to the prognosis of patients, they were divided into survival group and death group. The clinical data of shock patients in ICU with different prognosis were analyzed by single factor analysis, multiple factor regression analysis and predictive value analysis.Results:All patients were followed up. The end point of the study was death or transfer from ICU. The follow-up period was 28 days, with a median of 16 days. The 28-day survival rate (OS) of all patients was 62.5%(125/200). The Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ) score, prothrombin time (PT), Fbg, D-dimer(D-D), lactic acid, oxygenation index and lung ultrasound score of the patients in the survival group and the death group were significantly different (all P<0.05), while other indexes were not significantly different (all P>0.05). The results of COX multivariate analysis showed that APACHE Ⅱ score, lactate, and lung ultrasound score were independent prognostic factors of shock patients in ICU (all P<0.05). The survival curves of patients with different lung ultrasound scores were significantly different ( P<0.05). The higher the lung ultrasound score, the lower the 28-day survival rate ( P<0.05). The receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve analysis showed that the area under curve (AUC), sensitivity and specificity of predicting the prognosis of patients with lung ultrasound score were 0.753, 76.0% and 71.2%, respectively; The AUC , sensitivity and specificity of APACHE Ⅱ score were 0.774, 77.3% and 79.2% respectively; The AUC, sensitivity and specificity of lactic acid were 0.783, 81.3% and 68.8% respectively, with no significant difference (all P>0.05). Conclusions:The lung ultrasound score , lactic acid and APACHE Ⅱ scores are independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of ICU shock patients, and have considerable predictive value.

Application of cardiopulmonary ultrasound in adult acute dyspnea: construction of differential diagnosis model between cardiogenic pulmonary edema and pneumonia / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective:To analyze the cardio-pulmonary ultrasound features of cardiogenic pulmonary edema (CPE) and pneumonia in adults with acute dyspnea, and to construct a differential diagnosis model.Methods:Seven hundred and forty-three patients with sudden acute dyspnea admitted to Hebei General Hospital from November 2018 to May 2022 were retropectively included. Ultrasonographer A performed lung ultrasound with 12 zone method, and interpreted and recorded the ultrasonic signs (including A-lines area, B-lines area, consolidation area and pleural effusion area) together with ultrasonographer B. According to the ultrasonic characteristics of the whole lung, it was divided into A-profile and B-profile. According to the continuity and symmetry of the distribution of B-lines in bilateral lung fields, it could be divided into bilateral lung continuous and discontinuous B-profile, bilateral lung symmetric and asymmetric B-profile. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular filling pressure (E/e′), right ventricular dilatation, tricuspid annular systolic displacement (TAPSE) and inferior vena cava diameter (IVCD) were evaluated by echocardiography, and all the indexes were transformed into binary variables. According to the final clinical diagnosis and treatment results, the disease was divided into CPE group and pneumonia group. Binary Logistic regression model was used to screen independent influencing factors, and partial regression coefficient β value was used as a weight to assign a score, and a differential diagnosis model was established based on the total score. The predictive value of the model was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) and area under curve (AUC). After the model was built, 30 patients with CPE or pneumonia were independently collected by ultrasonographer C as external validation data, which were included in the model to draw ROC curve and evaluate the differential diagnosis efficiency of the model. The consistencies between ultrasonographer A and B, A and C in observing lung ultrasound were explored.Results:A total of 743 patients from 43 clinical departments were included, including 246 cases in CPE group and 497 cases in pneumonia group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that bilateral lung continuous B-profile, bilateral lung symmetric B-profile, ≥1 pleural effusion area, LVEF<50%, E/e′>14 were the risk factors for CPE (all OR>1, P<0.05), and ≥1 consolidation area and ≥1 pleural sliding disappearance area were the protective factors for CPE (all OR>1, P<0.05). The sensitivity, specificity and AUC of combined cardio-pulmonary ultrasound index β value weight score in the differential diagnosis of CPE and pneumonia were 0.939, 0.956 and 0.986, respectively. The AUC of external validation data was 0.904. Ultrasonographer A and B, A and C had good consistency in the interpretation of lung ultrasound signs ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The differential diagnosis model based on combined cardio-pulmonary ultrasound indexes has high differential diagnosis efficiency for CPE and pneumonia, and can be used in bedside cardio-pulmonary ultrasound practice.

Can lung ultrasound replace the chest X-ray? A prospective multicenter study / 中国小儿急救医学

Objective:To analyze the accuracy of lung ultrasound and chest X-ray in the diagnosis of neonatal pulmonary disease.Methods:We prospectively collected newborns that needed chest X-ray examination to diagnose pulmonary disease from twelve neonatal intensive care units across the country between June 2019 and April 2020.Each newborn was examined by lung ultrasound within two hours after chest X-ray examination.All chest X-ray and lung ultrasound images were independently read by a radiologist and a sonographer.When there was a disagreement, a panel of two experienced physicians made a final diagnosis based on the clinical history, chest X-ray and lung ultrasound images.Results:A total of 1 100 newborns were enrolled in our study.The diagnostic agreement between chest X-ray and lung ultrasound(Cohen′s kappa coefficient=0.347) was fair.Lung ultrasound(area under the curve=0.778; 95% CI 0.753-0.803) performed significantly better than chest X-ray(area under the curve=0.513; 95% CI 0.483-0.543) in the diagnosis of transient tachypnea of the newborn( P<0.001). The accuracy of lung ultrasound in diagnosing neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, meconium aspiration syndrome, pneumonia and neonatal pulmonary atelectasis was similar to that of chest X-ray. Conclusion:Lung ultrasound, as a low-cost, simple and radiation-free auxiliary examination method, has a diagnostic accuracy close to or even better than that of chest X-ray, which may replace chest X-ray in the diagnosis of some neonatal lung diseases.It should be noted that both chest X-ray and lung ultrasound can only be used as auxiliary means for the diagnosis of lung diseases, and it is necessary to combine imaging with the clinical history and presentation.

The clinical value of lung ultrasound scores predicting pulmonary surfactant use in premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome / 中国新生儿科杂志

Objective:To study the clinical value of lung ultrasound score (LUSsc) within 2 h after birth for pulmonary surfactant (PS) use in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).Methods:From July 2019 to May 2021, preterm infants with RDS hospitalized in our hospital and received pulmonary ultrasound within 2 h after birth were prospectively enrolled. 12-area LUSsc was calculated. The infants were assigned into <32 weeks group and 32-36 weeks group according to gestational age (GA). Simple random sampling was carried out in each group with 1/5 as the validation set and the other 4/5 as the training set. The infants were also assigned into PS group and non-PS group according to PS usage within 24 h after birth. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve of LUSsc predicting PS usage was drawn and validated.Results:A total of 857 RDS infants were enrolled, including 313 in <32 weeks group and 544 in 32-36 weeks group. For <32 weeks group, area under curve (AUC) of LUSsc>8.5 predicting PS use was 0.779 (95% CI 0.722-0.837), with 76.4% sensitivity and 81.4% specificity. The accuracy of using LUSsc>8.5 as cut-off predicting actual clinical PS application was 82.3% (Kappa value 0.692, P<0.05, McNemar's test P>0.05).For 32-36 weeks group, AUC of LUSsc>9.5 predicting PS use was 0.785 (95% CI 0.723-0.848), with 71.1% sensitivity and 81.7% specificity. The accuracy of using LUSsc>9.5 as cut-off predicting actual clinical PS application was 92.6% (Kappa value 0.772, P<0.05, McNemar's test P>0.05). Conclusions:LUSsc within 2 h after birth is independent predictor of PS use in preterm infants with RDS. For <32 weeks group, LUSsc>8.5 suggests PS application and for 32-36 weeks group the cut-off is LUSsc>9.5.

Point-of-Care Thoracic Ultrasound in Children with Bronchiolitis

Objective To characterize thoracic (lung and diaphragm) ultrasound fndings in children<2 y with bronchiolitis, evaluate correlation between lung ultrasound severity score (USS) and bronchiolitis severity score (BSS), and study the interobserver agreement of USS between study pediatrician and radiologist. Methods In this prospective observational study, thoracic ultrasound was performed on children with bronchiolitis by the study pediatrician and USS score was assigned. A radiologist blinded to all clinical information, performed an independent thoracic ultrasound. Demographics, clinical course, and other relevant details were recorded. Results Fifty-three children were enrolled; 29/53 patients (54.7%) were classifed as mild bronchiolitis and 24/53 (45.2%) had moderate bronchiolitis as per clinical score; 13.2% (7/53) patients had both anterior and posterior subpleural consolidation and went on to require higher respiratory support either in the form of continuous positive airway pressure in 71.4% (5/7), oxygen for>24 h in 14.2% (1/7), or heated humidifed high-fow nasal cannula in 14.2% (1/7). These results were statistically signifcant (p<0.001). A statistically signifcant correlation was found between the USS and type and duration of respiratory support (p value 0.002) and with the mean duration of hospital stay (p value<0.001). There was signifcant correlation between the BSS and USS (p<0.001). There was a very good agreement between the ultrasound fndings of study pediatrician and radiologist (kappa 0.83). Conclusion The fndings of lung ultrasound (LUS) are not specifc for bronchiolitis. However, LUS can be used as a good prognostic tool in patients with bronchiolitis.

Diagnostic accuracy of lung ultrasound for transient tachypnea: a meta-analysis

Abstract Objective: The objective of this meta-analysis was to study the diagnostic value of lung ultrasound (LUS) for transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN). Methods: Embase, Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched, and the last search date was October 31, 2020. Studies on the diagnostic accuracy of pulmonary ultrasound for transient tachypnea were included. The quality assessment of the included study was assessed using the Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool. A meta-analysis was performed using Meta-Disc 1.4. A random-effects model was used and subgroup analysis was carried out to identify possible sources of heterogeneity. Results: A total of 378 articles were retrieved and nine studies with 3239 patients were included in the present meta-analysis. The overall quality of the included studies was moderate to high. The result of threshold analysis shows that there was no threshold effect. However, there was a significant heterogeneity caused by non-threshold effects in the included studies. A random-effects model was used. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, PLR and NLR were 0.55 (95% CI: 0.51-0.58), 0.98 (95% CI: 0.98-0.99), 58.30 (95% CI: 14.05-241.88) and 0.28 (95% CI: 0.18-0.43). The pooled DOR and AUC were 689.12 (95% CI: 68.71 to 6911.79) and 0.994. The results of subgroup analysis showed that the LUS diagnostic criteria and gold standard might be responsible for heterogeneity. Choosing "DLP combined with B line" as the diagnostic standard of LUS and choosing CXR as the gold standard could significantly improve the diagnostic performance of LUS. Conclusion: LUS is a promising method to diagnose TTN. Only DLP is not enough to diagnose TTN, while DLP combined with B-line has good diagnostic performance.

Ecografía pulmonar como predictor de terapia intensiva en neumonía por COVID-19 / Lung ultrasound as predictor of intensive therapy in COVID-19 pneumonia

Resumen La ecografía pulmonar (EP) ha demostrado ser una herramienta útil para detectar el grado de compromiso pulmonar en neumonía y síndrome de distrés respiratorio agudo. El presente estudio evalúa la asociación entre la puntuación de EP de 12 regiones y el ingreso de terapia intermedia a terapia intensiva en pacientes con neumonía por COVID-19. Se incluyó un total de 115 pacientes con diagnóstico de neumonía confirmada por radiografía de tórax, por SARS-CoV-2, se realizó una EP junto con la evaluación de laboratorio que incluyó la medición de marcadores inflamatorios (linfocitos, proteína C reactiva, Dímero D, procalcitonina, ferritina, lactato deshidrogenasa y pro péptido natriurético de tipo B). Se utilizó una puntuación ecográfica pul monar que caracteriza el grado de afección pulmonar como leve, moderado y grave, y se comparó el resultado con los marcadores inflamatorios de laboratorio. En el análisis univariado se observó una asociación entre la puntuación de la EP, los niveles elevados de procalcitonina y péptido natriurético cerebral y el ingreso a terapia intensiva. En el análisis multivariado solo la puntuación de EP fue un predictor independiente de requerimiento de terapia intensiva.

Abstract Lung ultrasound (LUS) has shown to be a useful tool to detect the degree of pulmonary involvement in patients with pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome. The present study evaluates the association of the 12-region lung ultrasound score and the requirements of intensive care unit, in patients with COVID-19 infection who were admitted to intermediate care in a specialized hospital; 115 patients with a diagnosis of pneumonia confirmed by chest radiography secondary to SARS-CoV-2 were included, LUS was performed together with the laboratory evaluation that included the measurement of inflammatory biomarkers (lymphocytes, C-reactive protein, D-dimer, procalcitonin, ferritin, lactate dehydrogenase, and pro B-type natriuretic peptide). Lung ultrasound score was used, characterizing the degree of lung involvement as mild, moderate, and severe, and the results were compared with inflammatory biomarkers. In the univariate analysis, an association was observed between the lung ultrasound score, elevated levels of procalcitonin and brain natriuretic peptide, and the admission to intensive care. In the multivariate analysis, only the lung ultrasound score was an independent predictor of need for intensive therapy.

Lung ultrasonography as a tool to guide perioperative atelectasis treatment bundle in head and neck cancer patients undergoing free flap reconstructive surgeries: a preliminary observational study / Ultrassonografia pulmonar como ferramenta para orientar o tratamento perioperatório de atelectasia em pacientes com câncer de cabeça e pescoço submetidos a cirurgia reconstrutiva com retalho livre: um estudo observacional preliminar

Abstract Introduction: General anesthesia causes pulmonary atelectasis within few minutes of induction. This can have significant impact on postoperative outcome of cancer patients undergoing prolonged reconstructive surgeries. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of sonographically detected perioperative atelectasis on the need for postoperative oxygen supplementation, bronchodilator therapy and assisted chest physiotherapy in patients undergoing free flap surgeries for head and neck carcinoma. Methods: Twenty eight head and neck cancer patients underwent bilateral pulmonary ultrasonographic assessments before and after lung surgery. Lung ultrasound scores, serum lactate, and PaO2/FiO2 ratio were measured both at the beginning and at end of the surgery. Patients were scanned in the supine position and the number of single and confluent B lines was noted. These values were correlated with the need for oxygen therapy, requirement of bronchodilators and total weaning time to predict the postoperative outcome. Other factors affecting weaning were also studied. Results: Among twenty eight patients, seven had mean lung ultrasound score of ≥10.5 which correlated with prolonged weaning time (144.56±33.5min vs. 66.7±15.7min; p = 0.005). The change in lung ultrasound score significantly correlated with change in PaO2/FiO2 ratio (r = −0.56, p = 0.03). Elevated total leukocyte count >8200 ΜL and serum lactate >2.1 mmoL/L also predicted prolonged postoperative mechanical ventilation. Conclusion: This preliminary study detected significant levels of perioperative atelectasis using point of care lung ultrasonography in head and neck cancer patients undergoing long duration surgical reconstructions. Higher lung ultrasound scores highlighted the need for frequent bronchodilator nebulizations as well as assisted chest physiotherapy and were associated with delayed weaning. We propose more frequent point of care lung ultrasonographic evaluations and use of recruitment maneuvers to reduce the impact of perioperative pulmonary atelectasis.

Resumo Introdução: A anestesia geral causa atelectasia pulmonar poucos minutos após sua indução. Isso pode ter um impacto significativo no resultado pós-operatório de pacientes com câncer submetidos a cirurgias reconstrutivas prolongadas. Objetivo: Avaliar o impacto das atelectasias perioperatórias detectadas por ultrassonografia na necessidade de suplementação pós-operatória de oxigênio, terapia broncodilatadora e fisioterapia respiratória assistida em pacientes com carcinoma de cabeça e pescoço submetidos a cirurgias com uso de retalho livre. Método: Foram submetidos a avaliações ultrassonográficas pulmonares bilaterais antes e após a cirurgia 28 pacientes com câncer de cabeça e pescoço. Os escores de ultrassonografia pulmonar, lactato sérico, razão PaO2/FiO2 foram medidos no início e no fim da cirurgia. Os pacientes foram avaliados na posição supina e o número de linhas B confluentes e únicas foi observado. Esses valores foram correlacionados com a necessidade de oxigenoterapia, necessidade de broncodilatadores e tempo total de desmame para predizer o resultado pós-operatório. Outros fatores que afetam o desmame também foram estudados. Resultados: Entre os 28 pacientes, sete apresentaram escore médio de ultrassonografia pulmonar ≥ 10,5, que se correlacionou com o tempo de desmame prolongado (144,56 ± 33,5 minutos vs. 66,7 ± 15,7 minutos; p = 0,005). A mudança no escore de ultrassonografia pulmonar correlacionou-se significantemente com a mudança na razão PaO2/FiO2 (r = −0,56, p = 0,03). A contagem total elevada de leucócitos > 8200 uLe o nível de lactato sérico >2,1 mmoL/L também previram ventilação mecânica pós-operatória prolongada. Conclusão: Este estudo preliminar detectou um nível significante de atelectasia perioperatória com ultrassonografia pulmonar no local de atendimento em pacientes com câncer de cabeça e pescoço submetidos a reconstruções cirúrgicas de longa duração. Escores mais altos de ultrassonografia pulmonar enfatizaram a necessidade de nebulizações broncodilatadoras frequentes e fisioterapia respiratória assistida e foram associados a desmame tardio. Propomos avaliações ultrassonográficas pulmonares mais frequentes no local de atendimento e o uso de manobras de recrutamento para reduzir o impacto das atelectasias pulmonares perioperatórias.

Lung ultrasound for the diagnosis of pneumonia in children in recent 5 years: a meta-analysis / 中国小儿急救医学

Objective:To assess the accuracy of lung ultrasound(LUS) to predict pneumonia in pediatric patients using meta-analysis.Methods:The PubMed, the Cochrane Library, EMbase databases from January 2015 to March 2020 were searched.The retrieved outcome data to evaluate the efficacy of LUS for the diagnosis of pneumonia in patients under 18 years of age were included.Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies.Meta-analysis was then conducted using MetaDisc 1.4, RevMan 5.3 and Stata 15.0 softwares.Results:Twelve diagnostic studies were included, which involved 2 484 patients.The results of meta-analysis showed that compared with the gold standard, the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios, diagnostic odds ratio of LUS were 0.90(95% CI 0.88-0.91), 0.88(95% CI 0.85-0.90), 8.64(95% CI 3.79-19.72), 0.12(95% CI 0.06-0.26) and 77.58(95% CI 28.39-211.99), respectively.The area under the summary receiver operating characteri stic curve was 0.96.Subgroup analysis showed that there was no difference in LUS′s diagnostic accuracy for pneumonia with different department, different diagnostic gold standard, and different level of sonographer training. Conclusion:Current evidence shows that LUS has a high accuracy in the diagnosis of pneumonia in children.

Application of modified clinical pneumonia infection score in ventilator-associated pneumonia / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective:To study the application of modified clinical pneumonia infection score (CPIS-LUS) in the diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).Methods:The clinical data of 208 VAP patients admitted to Shaoxing Second Hospital from January 2018 to January 2020 were analyzed. The patients were divided into low-risk group (69 cases), medium-risk group (81 cases) and high-risk group (58 cases) according to acute physiological and chronic health evaluation scoreⅡ.Meanwhile the patients were divided into improvement group (141 cases) and the deterioration group (67 cases) according to the treatment outcome. One hundred and sixty-five patients who received mechanical ventilation treatment but without VAP was as non-VAP group. The scores of CPIS-LUS among the groups were compared.Results:At the initial mechanical ventilation, the CPIS-LUS scores of the VAP group and the non-VAP group had no statistical significant ( P>0.05). At the time of diagnosis, the CPIS-LUS scores in VAP group was higher than that at the initial ventilation with: (6.09 ± 0.81) scores vs. (3.79 ± 0.48) scores, and was higher than that in the non-VAP group with: (6.09 ± 0.81) scores vs. (3.71 ± 0.43) scores, the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). The CPIS-LUS scores in the high-risk group was higher than that in the medium-risk group and the low-risk group: (7.85 ± 1.08) scores vs. (5.85 ± 0.76) , (4.89 ± 0.64) scores, the CPIS-LUS scores in the medium-risk group was also higher than that in the low-risk group with: (5.85 ± 0.76)scores vs. (4.89 ± 0.64) scores, the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). At the initial mechanical ventilation, the CPIS-LUS scores of the improvement group and the deterioration group were (3.76 ± 0.47), (3.85 ± 0.50) scores, there was no statistical difference ( P>0.05). At the time of diagnosis, the CPIS-LUS scores of the improvement group and the deterioration group were higher than those of the initial mechanical ventilation, and the CPIS-LUS scores of the improvement group was lower than that of the deterioration group: (5.43 ± 0.67)scores vs. (7.48 ± 1.10) scores, the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). At anti-infection treatment for 7 d, the improvement group CPIS-LUS score was lower than that at the time of diagnosis: (3.69 ± 0.41) scores vs. (5.43 ± 0.67) scores, P<0.05, but the CPIS-LUS scores in the deterioration group was not decreased. Conclusions:The CPIS-LUS score can assist early diagnosis of VAP, and can be used as an effective predictor of disease severity and prognosis, and provide reference for antibiotic treatment.