Evaluation of organ perfusion and intravascular volume status by ultrasound

This review article is devoted to ultrasound monitoring of intravascular volume status and organ perfusion in critically ill patients. In particular, approaches to determination of fluid responsiveness using Doppler-estimated blood flow in peripheral arteries are discussed. The reliability and accuracy of these parameters are substantiated by their comparison with the parameters obtained by prepulmonary and transpulmonary thermodilution methods. The technicalities of ultrasound examination of the abovementioned parameters are considered.