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.

Rick Robbins, M.D. 4/4/14 Rick Robbins, M.D. 4/4/14

Ultrasound for Critical Care Physicians: The Big Squeeze

A 57 year-old man without significant past medical history presented with difficulty swallowing and pleuritic chest pain. He was undergoing evaluation for his dysphagia when he was noted to be tachycardic and hypotensive shortly after admission to the medical-surgical ward. His initial chest x-ray revealed bilateral pleural effusions and what appeared to be cardiomegaly. A cardiac ultrasound was performed (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Subxiphoid view of patient's heart, inferior vena cava and hepatic vein.

What is the cause of the patient's tachycardia and hypotension?

Reference as: Siddiqi T, Assar S, Malo J. Ultrasound for critical care physicians: the big squeeze. Southwest J Pulm Crit Care. 2014;8(4):221-2. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13175/swjpcc036-14 PDF

Rick Robbins, M.D. 1/4/14 Rick Robbins, M.D. 1/4/14

Ultrasound for Critical Care Physicians: Hypotension

A 68 year old man is transferred to the intensive care unit because of hypotension. An ultrasound of the heart and inferior vena cava (IVC) were performed (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Upper panel: subxiphoid view of heart. Lower panel: inferior vena cava.

What is the cause of the hypotension? (Click on the correct answer)

Reference as: Mosier JM. Ultrasound for critical care physicians: hypotension. Southwest J Pulm Crit Care. 2013;8(1):41-3. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13175/swjpcc176-13 PDF