Echocardiography performed by the pulmonary/critical care medicine physician

Echocardiography is a noninvasive, readily available tool routinely used in the evaluation of critically ill subjects and patients with respiratory disorders. Critical care echocardiography is useful for diagnostic and monitoring purposes, and assists in therapeutic interventions such as pericardiocentesis. Outpatient echocardiography, as applied by the pulmonary specialist, provides important clinical information relevant to the diagnosis and management of the patient with respiratory disorders. This article summarizes echocardiography applications for the pulmonary/critical care medicine practitioner, related procedural codes, and reimbursement.