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Table 3 Description of changes in clinical information or decisions led by ultrasound

From: Impact of an ultrasound-driven diagnostic protocol at early intensive-care stay: a randomized-controlled trial

Modification in diagnosis and therapeutic decisions led by US

No. changes

No. patients

Related to clinical decision-making, total

48

36

New or unidentified diagnosis:

 Pneumonia, 2; significant pleural effusion, 5; pneumothorax, 1; significant pericardial effusion, 1; cholecystitis, 1

10

8

Clinical diagnosis:

 Pneumonia to respiratory distress due to biliary sepsis, 1; pneumonia to heart failure, 2; asthma to pneumonia, 1

4

4

Pharmacological therapy:

 Fluid challenges, 6; start diuretics, 5; dobutamine, 5; noradrenaline, 2; antibiotics, 5; alteplase, 1

24

16

Invasive procedures:

 Thoracic drainage, 5; emergency bronchoscopy, 2; laparotomy, 1; suprapubic bladder catheterization, 1

9

7

Alveolar recruitment maneuver, 1

1

1

No changes

0

4

  1. US ultrasound