Routine Transthoracic Echocardiography in a General Intensive Care Unit: an 18 Month Survey in 704 Patients

Abstract The authors analyzed 704 transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE) examinations, performed routinely to all admitted patients to a general 16-bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU) during an 18-month period. Data acquisition and prevalence of abnormalities of cardiac structures and function were assessed, as well as the new, previously unknown severe diagnoses. A TTE was performed within the first 24 h of admission on 704 consecutive patients, with a mean age of 61.5 ± 17.5 years, ICU stay of 10.6 ± 17.1 days, APACHE II 22.6 ± 8.9, and SAPS II 52.7 ± 20.4. In four patients, TTE could not be performed. Left ventricular (LV) dimensions were quantified in 689 (97.8%) patients, and LV function in 670 (95.2%) patients. Cardiac output (CO) was determined in 610 (86.7%), and mitral E / A in 399 (85.9% of patients in sinus rhythm). Echocardiographic abnormalities were detected in 234 (33%) patients, the most common being left atrial (LA) enlargement ( n  = 163), and LV dysfunction ( n  = 132). Patients with these alterations were older (66 ± 16.5 vs 58.1 ± 17.4, p p p p  = 0.016, CI 1.007–1.016) and ICU stay ( p