The lung ultrasound in differential diagnostic of acute respiratory failure reason

Abstract

Ultrasound lungs examination has been considered uninformative for decades due to the high acoustic resistance between soft tissues and airy lungs. Recently, the work in emergency conditions has proved the usefulness of ultrasound technologies, especially while diagnosing acute respiratory failures. Introduction of ultrasound technologies into the practice of intensive care units made it possible to change the ‘philosophy’ of diagnosing critical conditions, promoting ultrasound as primary technique, even in the era of widespread use of computed tomography. Portable ultrasound diagnostic devices, along with general clinical examination, made it possible to differentiate rapidly such acute conditions as cardiogenic shock, acute respiratory distress syndrome, pneumothorax, atelectasis, and other lung lesions