My Approach to Lung Ultrasound to Evaluate Extravascular Lung Water
Introduction
A clinical history, physical examination, and focused ultrasound can accelerate the appropriate diagnosis and treatment of patients with progressive or acute dyspnea. Extravascular lung water (EVLW) is easily detected with lung ultrasound (LUS). Pivetta et al. reported excellent accuracy detecting EVLW by clinical evaluation and by the presence of “B” lines on LUS heigher than B natriuretic peptide dosage.
The usefulness of LUS for intensive care unit patients was described in the 1980s, later than that of other ultrasound modalities. LUS is useful not only for diagnosing EVLW but also for risk stratification in myocardial infarction and acute congestive heart failure (CHF).
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