Echocardiogram by Apical-Subcostal Protocol in Prone Position During Invasive Mechanical Ventilation in Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit

Authors

César Del Castillo
Fernando Verdugo
Franco Appiani
Francisca Yáñez
Camila Bontá
Carlos Torres-Herrera
Angela Garcia
Zorba Blázquez-Bermejo
Javier Castrodeza
Daniel Requena
Andreina Rodríguez
Arquimedes Silvio
Agustín Gatica
Arnulfo Begazo
Mario Alfaro

Publication Date

6-10-2024

Journal

Cardiovascular Ultrasound

DOI

10.1186/s12947-024-00326-y

PMID

38858752

PMCID

PMC11163713

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

6-10-2024

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Post-print

Published Open-Access

yes

Keywords

Humans, Male, Prone Position, Female, Prospective Studies, Respiration, Artificial, Echocardiography, Feasibility Studies, Middle Aged, Intensive Care Units, Patient Positioning, Aged

Abstract

AIMS: To evaluate the feasibility of a transthoracic echocardiogram using an apical-subcostal protocol in invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) and prone position.

METHODS: Prospective study of adults who required a prone position during IMV. A pillow was placed only under the left hemithorax in the prone position to elevate and ease the apical and subcostal windows. A critical care cardiologist (prone group) acquired and evaluated the images using the apical-subcostal protocol. Besides, we used ambulatory echocardiograms performed as a comparative group (supine group).

RESULTS: 86 patients were included, 43 in the prone and 43 in the supine. In the prone group, the indication to perform an echocardiogram was hemodynamic monitoring. All patients were ventilated with protective parameters, and the mean end-expiratory pressure was 10.6 cmH2O. The protocol was performed entirely in 42 of 43 patients in the prone group because one patient did not have any acoustic window. In the 43 patients in the prone group analyzed and compared to the supine group, global biventricular function was assessed in 97.7% (p = 1.0), severe heart valve disease in 88.4% (p = 0.055), ruled out of the presence of pulmonary hypertension in 76.7% (p = 0.80), pericardial effusion in 93% (p = 0.12), and volume status by inferior vena cava in 93% (p = 0.48). Comparing prone versus supine position, a statistical difference was found when evaluating the left ventricle apical 2-chamber view (65.1 versus 100%, p < 0.01) and its segmental function (53.4 versus 100%, p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION: The echocardiogram using an apical-subcostal protocol is feasible in patients in the IMV and prone position.

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