[Lung ultrasonography: what the cardiologist should know]

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Pulmonology
• Diagnostic Ultrasound

Background:

• The lung is typically difficult to image with ultrasound.
• Pathological conditions alter the air-water-tissue relationship, enhancing ultrasound information.
• Acoustic impedance differences create artifacts that reveal lung pathophysiology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the growing importance of lung ultrasonography in clinical practice.
• To explain how ultrasound provides diagnostic information despite the lung's usual limitations.
• To detail the applications of lung ultrasonography in diagnosing various respiratory conditions.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing ultrasound principles to explore the chest wall.
• Analyzing acoustic reflections and artifacts generated by lung tissues.
• Applying lung ultrasonography in diverse clinical scenarios.

Main Results:

• Lung ultrasonography effectively visualizes parenchymal and pleural pathologies.
• It assists in the differential diagnosis of dyspnea.
• It is valuable for the clinical and prognostic assessment of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Conclusions:

• Lung ultrasonography is an essential diagnostic tool for lung diseases.
• It offers critical insights into lung pathophysiology through artifact analysis.
• Its utility extends to critical care, including the evaluation of infectious respiratory diseases like COVID-19.