• FluTrackers.com Inc. does not provide medical advice. Information on this web site is collected from various internet resources, and the FluTrackers board of directors makes no warranty to the safety, efficacy, correctness or completeness of the information posted on this site by any author or poster. The information collated here is for instructional and/or discussion purposes only and is NOT intended to diagnose or treat any disease, illness, or other medical condition. Every individual reader or poster should seek advice from their personal physician/healthcare practitioner before considering or using any interventions that are discussed on this website. By continuing to access this website you agree to consult your personal physican before using any interventions posted on this website, and you agree to hold harmless FluTrackers.com Inc., the board of directors, the members, and all authors and posters for any effects from use of any medication, supplement, vitamin or other substance, device, intervention, etc. mentioned in posts on this website, or other internet venues referenced in posts on this website.
  • We are not asking for any donations. Do not donate to any entity who says they are raising funds for us.

J Ultrasound Med . Findings and Prognostic Value of Lung Ultrasound in COVID-19 Pneumonia

tetano

Editor, Senior Moderator
J Ultrasound Med


. 2020 Sep 16.
doi: 10.1002/jum.15508. Online ahead of print.
Findings and Prognostic Value of Lung Ultrasound in COVID-19 Pneumonia


Jorge Castelao[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Desir?e Graziani[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Joan B Soriano[SUP] 2 3 [/SUP], Jos? Luis Izquierdo[SUP] 1 4 [/SUP]



Affiliations

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to systematically describe the findings of lung ultrasound (US) in patients with coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia and to analyze its prognostic value.
Methods: Lung US examinations were performed in 63 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia admitted to a university hospital. Lung involvement was evaluated on a 4-point scale with a 12-area pulmonary division, obtaining a lung score (LS). Ultrasound findings and clinical characteristics were recorded.
Results: All patients showed US involvement in at least 1 area (mean ? SD, 8 ? 3.5). The total LS was 15.3 ? 8.1, without differences between left and right lungs. Most affected regions were the lower region (95.2%) and the posterior region (73.8%). The total LS showed a strong correlation (r = -0.765) with the oxygen pressure-to-fraction of inspired oxygen ratio; by lung region, those with a higher correlation were the LS of the anterior region (r = -0.823) and the LS of the upper region (r = -0.731). In total, 22.2% of patients required noninvasive respiratory support (NIRS). A multivariate analysis showed that the anterior region LS, adjusted for age and sex, was significant (odds ratio, 2.159; 95% confidence interval, 1.309-3.561) for the risk of requiring NIRS. An anterior region LS of 4 or higher and a total LS of 19 or higher had similar characteristics to predict the need for NIRS.
Conclusions: Ultrasound involvement in COVID-19 pneumonia is bilateral and heterogeneous. Most affected regions are the posterior and the lower regions. The anterior region has prognostic value because its involvement strongly correlates with the risk of requiring NIRS, and an anterior region LS of 4 or higher has high sensitivity and specificity for predicting the need for NIRS.

Keywords: COVID-19; coronavirus disease 2019; lung ultrasound; pneumonia.
 
Back
Top Bottom