Ultrasound navigation in pediatric intensive care unit: Realities of the present

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There have been an increasing number of publications in recent years demonstrating the efficiency and safety of ultrasound imaging techniques in anesthesiology and intensive care, which reduce the risk of complications during invasive manipulation and detecting life-threatening conditions at the earliest stage; however, practical implementation of these techniques is associated with significant difficulties, which served as the basis for this research. AIM: To estimate the adherence of experts in pediatric anesthesiology and intensive care departments to using ultrasound imaging techniques in clinical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A voluntary, anonymous questionnaire study of pediatric intensive care unit heads in 65 Russian Federation regions was conducted. RESULTS: Responses were obtained from 32 (38.4%) respondents. In 30% of cases, the work experience of specialists in the pediatric intensive care unit was around 510 yr, and there was no relationship between the introduction of ultrasound imaging techniques into the departments routine practice and the work experience of the specialists. All the professionals who participated in the study had access to an ultrasound scanner 24 h per day, 7 days a week. When measuring adherence to the use of ultrasound imaging techniques in providing venous access, five (15%) hospitals did not utilize them at all, whereas four (12.5%) medical institutions used them 100% of the time. The average frequency of main vein catheterization using ultrasonic imaging techniques is 49 35.5%. Ultrasonography is used to examine cardiac systolic function by 26 (81) respondents and it is routine in 50% of patients who require continuous catecholamine infusion. The Teicholz method (56% of the time) is used to assess systolic cardiac function; the Simpson method was used in 34% of cases. Ultrasound imaging to assess pulmonary status is used by 56% of responders. It is only used routinely in 28% of patients who require controlled mechanical ventilation. Ultrasound imaging is used in 47% of cases to examine the status of breathing volume. In 72% of instances, ultrasonography is used to assess cerebral perfusion and diagnose intracranial hypertension syndrome. Ultrasound-imaging methods are used by 56% of responders for screening diagnoses of life-threatening disorders in children with polytrauma, and in 44% of cases, it is a routine assessment. Fifty-seven percent of respondents believe that ultrasound diagnostic techniques are highly effective, and 71% believe that their use is safe for patients.