Hemodynamics, fluids & transfusion
The use of echocardiography in the management of shock in critical care: a prospective, multi-centre, observational study
Authors' conclusion
Use of echocardiography in the assessment of patients with shock remains heterogenous. When echocardiography is used, it improves diagnostic certainty or changes management in most patients.
Study context
- Population
- Consecutive adults (≥ 18 years) admitted with shock to 178 critical care units across the United Kingdom (UK) and Crown Dependencies178 critical care units
- Participants
- 1,015 adults
- Outcome
- Utilisation of echocardiography, its impact on decision making, and adherence to governance guidelines
- Follow-up
- 72 h
Methodological detailsmulticentre
- Multicentre
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Echocardiogram performed within 72 h
- 545 (54%)
- Echocardiogram performed within 24 h of admission
- 436 (43%)
- Scans performed by the critical care team
- 314, 58%
- Echocardiography reduced diagnostic uncertainty or changed management
- 291 (54%)
- Echocardiograms adhering to national governance and image storage guidance
- 25%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Management altered by echocardiography, by shock type (subgroup)
- Obstructive shock
- 15 [75%]
- Cardiogenic shock
- 100 [58%]
- Numerically more often
Original publication
The use of echocardiography in the management of shock in critical care: a prospective, multi-centre, observational study. Intensive Care Med. Published 19 August 2024. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →