Summary
Usefulness of lung ultrasound in Emergency Department patients suspected of having COVID-19
Affiliation of the authors
DOI
Quote
Àlvarez-Arnau C, Gómez-Sierra M, Ciudad-Alpuente R, Llaberia-Declara L, Piferrer-Martí J, Muñoz-Santasusagna J. Usefulness of lung ultrasound in Emergency Department patients suspected of having COVID-19. Rev Esp Urg Emerg. 2023;2:140–6
Summary
OBJECTIVE. To describe lung ultrasound findings in hospital emergency department patients suspected of having COVID-19.
MATERIAL AND METHODS. Lung ultrasound images were recorded between March 2020 and November 2021 along with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and rapid antigen test results. We also recorded the findings of plain chest films and progression of disease.
RESULTS. A total of 649 ultrasound images were evaluated; 344 patients (53%) were discharged and 305 (46.99%) were hospitalized. The disease progressed and became severe in 73 patients (11.25%). The ultrasound findings suggested COVID-19 in 415 patients (63.94%), and 371 patients (71.5%) had positive PCR or antigen test results. Of the 371 patients with ultrasound findings suggestive of COVID-19 (89.39%), 147 of them (35.42%) also had a chest film suggestive of COVID-19. The most common ultrasound findings were an absence of pleural effusion (97.5%), diffuse involvement (71%), coalescing B lines (56%), subpleural consolidations (52%), 3 or more B lines in 2 or more zones (51%), 3 or more B lines bilaterally in 2 or more zones (41.62%), and consolidations (11%). These percentages were higher in the group of patients with acute respiratory failure or whose disease progressed.
CONCLUSIONS. Lung ultrasonography can be an excellent tool for detecting COVID-19 pneumonia and can help identify patients with false negative PCR tests or non-suggestive chest films.