Lung Ultrasonography After Major Cardiac Surgery

Usefulness of Lung Ultrasonography for Diagnosis of Pneumonia After Major Cardiac Surgery: a Pilot Study

Diagnosis of pneumonia remains difficult in intensive care unit (ICU), notably after cardiac surgery. Lung ultrasonography (LUS) has been successfully used for diagnosis of pneumonia, but its usefulness and reliability was never evaluated after cardiac surgery. This study investigates the clinical relevance of LUS for pneumonia diagnoses in cardiac ICU.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Cardiac surgery with sternotomy and cardio-pulmonary bypass (CPB) less than 3 days before

• At least one component suggestive of ARF:

  • If mechanical ventilation, a PaO2 / FiO2 ratio <200, or failure of weaning (failure of spontaneous ventilation test, re-intubation in the first 24 hours), or need for non-invasive ventilation immediately after extubation,
  • If spontaneous ventilation: clinical signs of acute respiratory distress (dyspnea at least exertion, cyanosis, polypnea> 25/min, upper or intercostal swallowing, abdominal swing ...), SpO2 < 90% or PaO2 <60 mmHg despite oxygen therapy ≥ 3L/min.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Minor patients
• Pregnancy
• Sleep apnea syndrome
• Participation refusal