Clinical integrated ultrasound of the thorax including causes of shock in nontraumatic critically ill patients. A practical approach.

A rapid identification of the causes of hemodynamic instability or cardiac arrest is crucial for correct treatment. In a critical care setting, ultrasound seems to be an ideal tool for a rapid diagnosis. A multiple-goal problem-based approach represents the main peculiarity of emergency ultrasound and may be considered an extension of physical examination. The integration of data that can rapidly be obtained from the heart, lung, inferior vena cava, abdomen and leg vein examination are often essential for the diagnosis and treatment in critically ill patients. The role and potentiality of integrated ultrasound in cardiac arrest, shock/hypotension and severe dyspnea are considered in this article.