Effectivity of functional echocardiography in paediatric intensive care unit: An observational study

Abstract

Introduction: Bedside echocardiography is an important screening tool for evaluating intravascular volume status and cardiac functions in the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU). It offers a good image of the heart and is a useful bedside imaging modality and an accurate diagnostic tool.Objectives: To detect the role of echocardiography in PICUs in the management of critical patients.Method: It was a descriptive, observational, prospective case control study in a tertiary care children's hospital from 1 st August 2018 to 31 st July 2019. Critically ill children were admitted from emergency paediatric department or directly from outpatient department; 83 of 100 critically ill PICU children fulfilling study criteria, were included. Initial echocardiogram was done within 48 hours of admission and repeated as and when indicated.Results: During the study period, 100 children were admitted to the PICU, 83% being critical. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) was noted in 22.9% and high left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was noted in children with abnormal renal profile, hypertension and hypocalcaemia. Left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction was significant in the sepsis group of patients and those who had a PICU stay of more than 10 days duration. Isolated LV diastolic dysfunction was found in 88.7%. Abnormal right __________________________________________