Slide Presentations

CLINICAL IMPACT OF EARLY GOAL-DIRECTED ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY IN SHOCK PATIENTS PERFORMED BY NON-CARDIOLOGIST INTENSIVISTS

Abstract

PURPOSE: Circulatory shock is life-threatening requiring immediate therapeutic intervention. Real time assessment of cardiac function and volume provides information to guide fluid and vasopressor therapy. Early bedside transthoracic or transesophageal echocardiography performed by non-cardiologist intensivists has the potential to improve the management of patients with acute hemodynamic instability. The purpose of this study is to determine the clinical impact of limited, goal-directed