Dear Ultrasound Insider,
Sonography's value in critical care was apparent at the 2006 Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) meeting held earlier this month in San Francisco, where intensive care unit (ICU) physicians shared their experiences in several ultrasound-related presentations.
Along with an introductory talk on ultrasound basics by Dr. Kathryn Tchorz of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center-Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, attendees heard a presentation on chest ultrasound by Dr. Paul Marik of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia.
Marik, who doesn't do rounds without his portable ultrasound scanner, urged participants to consider portable ultrasound as a regular part of their ICU armamentarium. In another session, Dr. David Porembka of the University of Cincinnati's School of Medicine discussed why transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is the best way to evaluate the cardiac volume status of ICU patients.
In a "nuts and bolts" talk on portable ultrasound in the ICU, Dr. Heidi Frankel of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas reiterated that the main uses for ultrasound guidance are in central line placement and thoracentesis.
Staff editor Shalmali Pal was on hand to report on the presentations. As an Ultrasound Insider subscriber, you have access to this Insider Exclusive story before it is published for the rest of our AuntMinnie.com members. To read more, click here.
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