The RUSH Exam 2012: Rapid Ultrasound in Shock in the Evaluation of the Critically III Patient

摘要

Care of the patient with shock can be one of the most challenging issues in Emergency Medicine and Critical Care. Even the most seasoned clinician, standing at the bedside of the patient in extremis, can be unclear about the cause of shock and the optimal initial therapeutic approach. Traditional physical examination techniques can be misleading given the complex physiology of shock. Patients in shock have high mortality rates, and these rates are correlated to the amount and duration of hypotension. Therefore, diagnosis and initial care must be accurate and prompt to optimize patient outcomes. Failure to make the correct diagnosis and act appropriately can lead to potentially disastrous outcomes and a high-risk situation for the provider.