Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Lung ultra-sonography is a technique to recognise impaired alveolar air content and increased interstitial and alveolar fluid. The ultra-sound waves reflect lung aeration beyond parietal pleura, indicating underlying lung pathology. This study ascertains the relationship of Lung Ultra-sound Score (LUSS) with oxygenation and dynamic compliance. METHODS: One hundred and one lung ultra-sounds were performed in 50 patients aged 18–60 years, requiring mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit for at least 24 hours to study the relationship between LUSS and PaO(2)/FiO(2) and pulmonary mechanics. The twelve-region method was used; the number of B lines was counted in each inter-costal space, and the score was awarded. At the same time, ventilator parameters and arterial blood gases were noted. The correlation between variables was evaluated using the Spearman coefficient. RESULTS: LUSS showed a negative correlation with PaO(2)/FiO(2) ratio (R(2) = 0.607, p < 0.0001) and lung compliance (R2 = 0.354, p < 0.0001) but a positive linear correlation with lung resistance (R(2) = 0.406, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: LUSS is an easy and effective bedside tool to measure lung parameters in mechanically ventilated patients, and LUSS correlates significantly with oxygenation, lung compliance, and resistance.