Abstract
Background
Patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) present with diagnostic challenges because COVID-19 can cause varied end-organ failures that mimic respiratory distress of pulmonary origin. Early identification of concurrent complications can significantly alter patient management and course. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) can be particularly useful in helping to differentiate concomitant complications with COVID-19. While lung POCUS findings related to COVID-19 have been published, little guidance exists on how ultrasound can be incorporated into a more comprehensive evaluation of patients under investigation for COVID-19.
Objectives
We devised a pathway called COVUS that incorporates POCUS into the initial evaluation of patients under investigation for COVID-19 to guide diagnosis and management.
Discussion
The pathway was derived based on a review of literature, consensus from the ultrasound faculty, as well as feedback from the entire faculty group at one academic institution with high volumes of patients with COVID-19. The scanning protocol uses a cardiac-first (rather than lung-first) approach to identify potential concomitant organ failure that may immediately alter management.
Conclusions
COVUS aims to maximize identification of the most immediately life-threatening complications while minimizing time at bedside and provider risk of exposure to COVID-19.
【저자키워드】 Point-of-Care ultrasound, Algorithm, Cardiomyopathy, 2019 novel coronavirus infection, bedside technology, thromboembolic, 【초록키워드】 COVID-19, coronavirus disease, protocol, diagnostic, Diagnosis, lung, risk, management, Patient, pathway, Complication, Guidance, distress, Volume, Consensus, life-threatening, while, Alter, approach, helping, objective, initial, Course, identify, significantly, concomitant organ failure, end-organ, patients with COVID-19, with COVID-19, 【제목키워드】 COVID-19, Ultrasound, Emergency,