Ultrasound is a powerful clinical tool in the ICU for gaining insight into your patient’s clinical condition rapidly at the bedside. This guide is organized into clinical questions by system.

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Please note that the sensitivity & specificity of all ultrasound exams presumes a skilled operator. Bedside POCUS by learners, while clinically useful, does not replace a diagnostic exam performed by a trained operator.

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🥼Expert Review

The ZSOM Critical Care Series team thanks the following faculty for reviewing this guide:

• Daniel Jafari, MD, MPH - Attending Physician, Emergency Medicine, Surgery & Critical Care, North Shore University Hospital
• Aileen Virella, DO, EM Ultrasound Fellow, North Shore University Hospital & Long Island Jewish Hospital
• Jaclyn Angielczyk, MD, EM Ultrasound Fellow, North Shore University Hospital & Long Island Jewish Hospital
• Stephanie Jose, DO, EM Ultrasound Fellow, North Shore University Hospital & Long Island Jewish Hospital

🧠 Neuro:

Does my patient have elevated ICP?

❤️ Cardiovascular:

Does my patient have a pericardial effusion (or tamponade)?

How is my patient’s left ventricle pumping?

How is my patient’s right ventricle pumping?

Does my patient have a likely pulmonary embolism?

Does my patient have an aortic aneurysm?