Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 22, 2026
Assessment of Cerebral Lateralization in Children using Functional Transcranial Doppler Ultrasound fTCD
Published on: September 27, 2010
Point-of-Care Ultrasound for Targeted Assessment of Shock: Remember HIPP in Children
Nathaniel T Weberding1, Jennifer R Marin
1From the Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA.
Insights
Rapid ultrasound in shock and hypotension (RUSH) protocol diagnosed cardiac tamponade in a complex patient with presumed septic shock. Point-of-care ultrasound enabled faster, more accurate management.
Area of Science:
- Emergency Medicine
- Critical Care Medicine
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Patients in shock present a broad differential diagnosis, complicating rapid assessment and treatment.
- Septic shock is a common and life-threatening condition requiring prompt intervention.
Observation:
- A medically complex patient presented with signs and symptoms suggestive of septic shock.
- Initial management was guided by the assumption of septic shock.
Findings:
- Point-of-care ultrasound, specifically the rapid ultrasound in shock and hypotension (RUSH) protocol, identified a large pericardial effusion.
- The ultrasound findings indicated cardiac tamponade, a critical complication.
Implications:
- The RUSH protocol facilitated a rapid and definitive diagnosis, altering the patient's management pathway.
- Point-of-care ultrasound is a valuable tool for timely diagnosis and effective management of shock in complex patients.
Abstract:
The differential diagnosis for patients presenting in shock can be broad, making rapid diagnosis and management challenging. We present a case of a medically complex patient with presumed septic shock, diagnosed with a large pericardial effusion with evidence of tamponade using the rapid ultrasound in shock and hypotension protocol. The point-of-care ultrasound examination allowed for more timely and definitive management.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Assessing Blood pressure using a doppler ultrasound
Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Doppler Ultrasound Blood Pressure Assessment:
Preparation of Equipment:
01:16Shock Waves
When the source's speed approaches the speed of sound, constructive interference between successive wavefronts emitted by the source occurs immediately behind it. Initially, scientists believed that this constructive interference would result in such high...
01:21Interdisciplinary Care: The Health Care Team-I
Physicians
The physician's primary responsibility is to diagnose illness and direct the medical or surgical treatment of the condition. The authority to admit patients to a healthcare agency or institution and practice care within that setting is granted to physicians by the healthcare agency or institution...
01:18Interdisciplinary Care: The Health Care Team-II
Physical Therapist
A physical therapist (PT) aims to restore function or prevent additional impairment in a patient following an injury or disease. Massage, heat, cold, water, sonar waves, exercises, and electrical stimulation are some treatments used by PTs to treat...
01:22Standards of Care I
01:25Continuing Care