Impact of Focused Echocardiography in Management of Patients in Pediatric Intensive Care Units

Overview

Echocardiography is currently considered a key tool for the hemodynamic assessment in Intensive Care Units (ICU), able to identify causes of hemodynamic instability and to quickly guide therapy . Some of its advantages are being a noninvasive method, risk-free, capable of being performed serially and in real time, and analyzed along with clinical data by intensivists. Several studies have demonstrated the positive effect of the use of echocardiography in the management of critically ill patients, changing their treatment in 30%-60% of cases after the test is performed . Echocardiography has been used as an adjunct in predicting patient outcomes. Relevant and easily obtain-able information about hemodynamics is required for effective therapeutic manipulation of circulation in critically ill children ,Hemodynamic monitoring of critically ill infants and children noninvasively using echocardiography has been evaluated comprehensively Echocardiography is an influential procedure that allows direct visualization of the heart, guiding patients' hemodynamic condition at the bedside. This hemodynamic estimate informs physicians to guide therapeutic approaches like volume resuscitation, initiation, discontinuation, alteration of vasopressor therapy and referral for specialist rapidly if cardiac or surgical attempt is necessary Management of critically ill pediatric patients is a demanding task that requires proper prioritization and judicious time management. Multi-system affection with overlap of symptoms often complicates the clinical picture. Hemodynamic assessment has recently taken top priority in the management of critically ill patients, Echocardiography is an integral component of the clinical service in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). It is considered a handy bedside imaging modality, and an accurate diagnostic tool that explores a crucial body system. Indications of bedside echocardiography in TINEC (training in intensive care and neonatal echocardiography) include assessing cardiac function, pulmonary hypertension, severe pericardial effusion, and tamponade. Consequently, it serves as a guide for interventions in critically ill pediatric patients and management .