Efficacy of Fluid Administration Followed by Lung Sonography in Hemodynamic Assessment in Acute Circulatory Failure in Critically Ill Patients

Background: Early recognition and appropriate treatment of shock have been shown to decrease mortality. Incorporation of bedside ultrasound in patients with undifferentiated shock allows for rapid evaluation of reversible causes of shock and improves accurate diagnosis in undifferentiated hypotension. The aim of the present study was to evaluate efficacy of fluid administration followed by lung sonography in hemodynamic assessment in acute circulatory failure in critically ill patients.

Materials and Methods: This prospective cohort controlled randomized study was carried out on 50 Critically ill Patients who had acute circulatory failure in intensive care unit Tanta university hospital Critically ill patients of either sex aged 21-60 years when mean blood pressure was below 65 mmHg were included. Patients have been uniformly distributed in 2 categories, The patients assigned either to the Control Group (group I) or to the FALLS (fluid administration limited by lung sonography) protocol group (group II).

Results: Comparison between two groups revealed that, the heart rate showed that heart rate is lower in group II in comparison to group I .Comparison between two groups revealed that, the mean arterial blood pressure changes showed that it is higher in group II in comparison to group I .Comparison between two groups revealed that, the Central venous pressure showed that no significant difference in the base line .Intensive care unit stay in group I ranged between 5 – 11 days while in group II ranged between 3 – 8 days .Survival analysis (Kaplan Mier curve), Mortality at 28 days found in group I mean 21.28 days with SE 1.898 and in group II mean 24 days with SE 1.64 with no significant difference in time but there was significant difference in number of mortalities as discussed before.

Conclusion: We conclude from this study that bedside Lung Ultrasound has a good accuracy and superiority in assessment over other traditionally used methods for detecting early signs of pulmonary congestion and thus guides the fluid administration in shock management to decrease complications, mortality and intensive care stay.