Haemodynamic-Focused Bedside Ultrasound Enhances Early Detection of Sacral Pressure Injuries in Immobilised...

Early detection of sacral pressure injuries (PIs) in immobilised polytrauma patients remains challenging. This study evaluated ultrahigh-frequency (UHF) ultrasound combining structural and haemodynamic parameters for early PI diagnosis. In a prospective cohort of 73 polytrauma patients (Injury Severity Score 16-25), daily sacrococcygeal assessments were performed over 15 days using UHF ultrasound (Mindray Resona 11; L20-5 s probe). Parameters included 2D morphology, perfusion (colour power angiography [CPA]), flow metrics (peak systolic velocity [PSV]), Braden Scale and inflammatory markers. PI incidence was 27.4% (n = 20; all stage I/II). Haemodynamic markers outperformed 2D ultrasound: CPA grade ≥ 1 (AUC = 0.858, 80.0% sensitivity) and PSV > 5.55 cm/s (AUC = 0.841, 95.0% sensitivity). Combined CPA + PSV achieved superior accuracy (AUC = 0.922). Systemic inflammation showed no intergroup differences. UHF ultrasound detects early PIs by capturing ischaemia-reperfusion changes. The CPA + PSV protocol provides nurses with a rapid (< 5 min), sensitive bedside tool to guide proactive interventions.