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Erschienen in:
28.07.2017 | Point of Care Thoracic Ultrasound (S Koenig, Section Editor)
Assessment of Left Ventricular Function in the Critically Ill Patient
Erschienen in: Current Pulmonology Reports | Ausgabe 3/2017
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Purpose of Review
A rapid qualitative assessment of left ventricular (LV) function is one of the cornerstones of point of care ultrasonography. The purpose of this review is to use a case-based approach to demonstrate how point of care echocardiography can be used to perform a qualitative assessment of LV systolic function.
Recent Findings
Various studies have demonstrated that using standard goal-directed echocardiography views, the assessment of myocardial thickening, endocardial excursion and the motion of the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve can be used to classify the LV systolic function into four broad categories: (1) normal, (2) hyperdynamic, (3) reduced, and (4) severely reduced LV function.
Summary
Rapid qualitative assessment of LV systolic function provides valuable information, especially in patients with undifferentiated shock. However, it is important for the sonographer to recognize their limitations, be well versed in the pitfalls of each technique, and request a formal evaluation where appropriate.