Possibilities of ultrasonography in diagnosing causes of dyspnea in palliative care cancer patients

Dyspnea is an ailment which is relatively frequently reported by cancer patients, and it can be difficult todetermine the cause of the symptom at home hospice. Thanks to the application of mobile ultrasoundscanner, the physician can often determine the cause of dyspnea during a home visit, which makes itunnecessary to carry out diagnostic procedures at the hospital. The article presents two cases of femalepatients in whom the application of at-home ultrasound proved to be useful in determining the cause ofdyspnea. The first patient was diagnosed with pericardial tamponade at home — pericardial cavity puncturewas performed at the hospital — while in the case of the second patient, pneumonia was both diagnosedand monitored at home with the use of ultrasonography

Lung Ultrasonography in the Monitoring of Intraoperative Recruitment Maneuvers

Introduction: Postoperative respiratory failure is a serious problem in patients who undergo general anesthesia. Approximately 90% of mechanically ventilated patients during the surgery may develop atelectasis that leads to perioperative complications. Aim: The aim of this study is to determine whether it is possible to optimize recruitment maneuvers with the use of chest ultrasonography, thus limiting the risk of respiratory complications in patients who undergo general anesthesia. Methodology: The method of incremental increases in positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) values with simultaneous continuous ultrasound assessments was employed in mechanically ventilated patients. Results: The study group comprised 100 patients. The employed method allowed for atelectasis reduction in 91.9% of patients. The PEEP necessary to reverse areas of atelectasis averaged 17cmH2O, with an average peak pressure of 29cmH2O. The average PEEP that prevented repeat atelectasis was 9cmH2O. A significant improvement in lung compliance and saturation was obtained. Conclusions: Ultrasound-guided recruitment maneuvers facilitate the patient-based adjustment of the process. Consequently, the reduction in ventilation pressures necessary to aerate intraoperative atelectasis is possible, with the simultaneous reduction in the risk of procedure-related complications

Individualized Perioperative Hemodynamic Management Using Hypotension Prediction Index Software and the Dynamics of Troponin and NTproBNP Concentration Changes in Patients Undergoing Oncological Abdominal Surgery

Introduction: Abdominal oncologic surgeries pose significant risks due to the complexity of the surgery and patients’ often weakened health, multiple comorbidities, and increased perioperative hazards. Hypotension is a major risk factor for perioperative cardiovascular complications, necessitating individualized management in modern anesthesiology. Aim: This study aimed to determine the dynamics of changes in troponin and NTproBNP levels during the first two postoperative days in patients undergoing major cancer abdominal surgery with advanced hemodynamic monitoring including The AcumenTM Hypotension Prediction Index software (HPI) (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA, USA) and their association with the occurrence of postoperative cardiovascular complications. Methods: A prospective study was conducted, including 50 patients scheduled for abdominal cancer surgery who, due to the overall risk of perioperative complications (ASA class 3 or 4), were monitored using the HPI software. Hypotension was qualified as at least one ≥ 1 min episode of a MAP p p = 0.154). The dynamics of NTproBNP were similar for patients with and without heart failure, although those with heart failure had significantly higher preoperative concentrations (435.9 [IQR: 711.15] vs. 87 [IQR: 232.2] pg/mL, p < 0.001). Patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery showed a statistically significant increase in NTproBNP. Conclusions: This study suggests that advanced HPI monitoring in abdominal cancer surgery effectively minimizes intraoperative hypotension with no significant NTproBNP or troponin perioperative dynamics, irrespective of preoperative heart failure

Clinical Impact of Vertical Artifacts Changing with Frequency in Lung Ultrasound

Background: This study concerns the application of lung ultrasound (LUS) for the evaluation of the significance of vertical artifact changes with frequency and pleural line abnormalities in differentiating pulmonary edema from pulmonary fibrosis. Study Design and Methods: The study was designed as a diagnostic test. Having qualified patients for the study, an ultrasound examination was performed, consistent with a predetermined protocol, and employing convex and linear transducers. We investigated the possibility of B-line artifact conversion depending on the set frequency (2 MHz and 6 MHz), and examined pleural line abnormalities. Results: The study group comprised 32 patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) (and fibrosis) and 30 patients with pulmonary edema. In total, 1941 cineloops were obtained from both groups and analyzed. The employment of both types of transducers (linear and convex) was most effective (specificity 91%, specificity 97%, positive predictive value (PPV) 97%, negative predictive value (NPV) 91%, LR(+) 27,19, LR(−) 0.097, area under curve (AUC) = 0.936, p = 7 × 10−6). Interpretation: The best accuracy in differentiating the etiology of B-line artifacts was obtained with the use of both types of transducers (linear and convex), complemented with the observation of the conversion of B-line artifacts to Z-line

Lung ultrasound examination in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection : multicenter study

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has, by necessity, contributed to rapid advancements in medicine. Owing to the necessity of following strict anti-epidemic sanitary measures when taking care of infected patients, the accessibility of standard diagnostic methods may be limited. Consequently, the significance and potential of bedside diagnostic modalities increase, including lung ultrasound (LUS). Method: Multicenter registry study involving adult patients with confirmed COVID-19, for whom LUS was performed. Results: A total of 228 patients (61% males) qualified for the study. The average age was 60 years (±14), 40% were older than 65 years of age. In 130 from 173 hospitalized patients, HRCT (high-resolution computed tomography) was performed. In 80% of patients, LUS findings indicated interstitial pneumonia. In hospitalized patients multifocally located single B-lines, symmetrical B-lines, and areas of white lung were significantly more frequent as compared to ambulatory patients. LUS findings, both those indicating interstitial syndrome and consolidations, were positively correlated with HRCT images. As compared to HRCT, the sensitivity and specificity of LUS in detecting interstitial pneumonia were 97% and 100%, respectively. Conclusions: As compared to HRCT, LUS is characterized by a very high sensitivity and specificity in detecting interstitial pneumonia in COVID-19 patients. Potentially, LUS can be a particularly useful diagnostic modality for COVID-19 patients pneumonia