Ultrasonography and electrical impedance as assessment tools for critical patients in times of COVID-19

Abstract

In the COVID-19 outbreak we are living currently, the lung ultrasound can be considered as an advantageous tool to examine patients as it can be easily used by a maximum of two trained operators, at the bedside. Likewise, the Electrical impedance tomography is useful to monitor and optimize the patient’s ventilation strategies in real time. Here, we present the impact and implication of ultrasonography and electrical impedance as management tools for treating critical patients in times of COVID-19. Clinical Ultrasound has been used more and more in developing countries in Latin America such as Colombia, Argentina, and Uruguay among others, however it is still underutilized due to different issues amongst we found the absence of equipment or the lack of basic training from the medical staff and poor skills to use the machines despite their availability. The use of lung ultrasound and the Electrical impedance tomography is highlighted as a safe manner to manage COVID-19 patients, not as a replacement of a CT scan, but as an easy-to-use and fast complementary tool.