Lung ultrasound provides a noninvasive, efficient diagnostic instrument for monitoring evolution and stratifying the prognosis of sufferers with COVID-19 pneumonia, in line with examine findings revealed in Respiratory Investigation.
Researchers sought to guage the diagnostic accuracy of lung ultrasound (LUS) in contrast with thoracic computed tomography (CT) to find out severity of COVID-19 pneumonia. In addition they hoped to point out correlations between LUS rating, percutaneous oxygen saturation (SpO2), and inflammatory markers.
The researchers performed a potential observational examine at Târgu-Mureș Pulmonology Clinic, Mureș County Scientific Hospital, Romania, between January 2021 and March 2021. The examine analyzed knowledge from grownup 48 sufferers identified with extreme acute SARS-CoV-2 an infection and a clinically energetic respiratory an infection. All contributors skilled LUS, CT, and blood checks upon admission.
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Researchers discovered LUS confirmed subpleural consolidations (70.8%), pleural irregularities with thickening/discontinuity (75%), and bilateral B-lines (97.8%). Unusual sonographic patterns had been alveolar consolidations with pleural effusion (2%), and bronchogram (33%). They famous that LUS rating cutoff values equal to or lower than 14 and larger than 22 predicted gentle COVID-19 (sensitivity [Se]=84.6%; space below the curve [AUC]=0.72; P =.002) and extreme COVID-19 (Se=50%, specificity (Sp)=91.2%, AUC=0.69; P =.02), respectively, and values larger than 29 predicted the sufferers’ switch to intensive care (Se=80%, Sp=97.7%).
Based on researchers, LUS rating positively correlated with CT rating (r=0.41; P =.003) and elevated with the lower of SpO2 (r= -0.49; P =.003), with lymphocytes decline (r= -0.52; P =.0001). They added that sufferers with consolidation patterns had larger C-reactive protein and ferritin than these with B-line patterns (P =.03; P =.01, respectively).
Examine limitations embrace the observational nature missing randomization or blinding, small pattern measurement, choice bias, and the dearth of a convex transducer.
Researchers concluded that, “LUS is a helpful, noninvasive and efficient instrument for prognosis, monitoring evolution, and prognostic stratification of COVID-19 sufferers.” They added that “LUS had good diagnostic accuracy, highlighted by larger sensitivity and specificity within the detection of COVID-19 severity varieties and predicting the ICU switch of vital sufferers.”
Disclosure: Some examine authors declared affiliations with biotech, pharmaceutical, and/or gadget firms. Please see the unique reference for a full checklist of authors’ disclosures.
Reference
Ciurba BE, Sárközi HK, Szabó IA, et al. Applicability of lung ultrasound in the assessment of COVID-19 pneumonia: Diagnostic accuracy and clinical correlations. Respir Investig. Printed on-line August 8, 2022. doi:10.1016/j.resinv.2022.06.015
This text initially appeared on Pulmonology Advisor