Critical Care
The Southwest Journal of Pulmonary and Critical Care publishes articles directed to those who treat patients in the ICU, CCU and SICU including chest physicians, surgeons, pediatricians, pharmacists/pharmacologists, anesthesiologists, critical care nurses, and other healthcare professionals. Manuscripts may be either basic or clinical original investigations or review articles. Potential authors of review articles are encouraged to contact the editors before submission, however, unsolicited review articles will be considered.
Ultrasound for Critical Care Physicians: Really, At Her Age?
A 71 year old woman presented with dyspnea since late 2013 and denies a prior history of dyspnea. She had a cardiac pacemaker placed in 2008 for sick sinus syndrome. Her physical exam was unremarkable and her SpO2 was 96% on room air. However, it decreased to 84% with exercise. Chest x-ray and pulmonary function testing were unremarkable (a DLco was unable to be performed). A transthoracic echocardiogram was performed (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Movie with Doppler flow of transthoracic echocardiogram.
Which of the following best explains the patient's dyspnea and hypoxia? (Click on the correct answer to proceed to the next panel)
- Cardiac tamponade
- Decreased cardiac contractility
- Intracardiac shunt
- Mitral insufficiency
- Ventilation perfusion mismatch from COPD
Reference as: Wesselius LJ. Ultrasound for critical care physicians: really, at her age? Southwest J Pulm Crit Care. 2014;8(5):278-9. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13175/swjpcc061-14 PDF
Ultrasound for Critical Care Physicians: Unique
A 22-year-old man is seen for shortness of breath. Cardiac ultrasound / echocardiography is performed (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Cardiac ultrasound.
Which of the following best describes the ultrasound? (click on correct answer to move to next panel)
Reference as: Gotway MB. Ultrasound for critical care physicians: unique. Southwest J Pulm Crit Care. 2013;7(6):336-7. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13175/swjpcc148-13 PDF