Ultrasound use in non-cardiac surgery

Ultrasound is used in anaesthesia for diagnostic and interventional reasons. This article gives the anaesthesiolgoist an overview about the relevant indications for ultrasound in non-cardiac surgical patients. Other chapters will focus in more detail on different aspects of ultrasound use in non-cardiac anaesthesia. Echocardiography is a monitoring tool for cardiac structures and function. In the anaesthetized patient the transoesophageal approach is preferred due to the unrestricted ultrasound view to the heart. Its use for non-cardiac surgery is discussed. The use of transcutaneous ultrasound in anaesthesia is mainly interventional: The puncture rate for vascular access e.g. central venous catheterization is higher and the procedure can be performed safer under continuous sonographic guidance. Nerve blockade under direct visualisation of target and accompanying structures has amplified the regional anaesthetic methods. The major nerve blocks are described and discussed.