Comparison of Three Scores for Ultrasound Assessment and Monitoring of Pulmonary Aeration
Comparison of Three Scores for Ultrasound Assessment and Monitoring of Pulmonary Aeration
This study is designed to compare three ultrasound-based aeration scores that were previously
 validated in specific populations, and to assess their correlation with computed tomographic
 measurement of pulmonary aeration in a population with different pathologies.

 Hypothesis: The "Loss of Aeration Score" will be more accurate than a simplified version and
 another widely used score, the "Lung Ultrasound Score".
Assessment of lung aeration may have a great impact in the management of mechanical
 ventilation and follow-up of diverse lung pathologies. Computed tomographic scan is the gold
 standard method of lung aeration measurement but is rarely used because it requires transport
 of critically ill patients end exposes them to radiations. For these reasons, lung ultrasound
 would be an attractive alternative. Variants of different ultrasound-based aeration scores
 have been validated in different specific populations, but there is no comparison study that
 defines the more accurate score that should be used in a population with different
 pathologies.

 Methods: Patients undergoing a computed tomographic scan for dyspnea or hypoxemia will have a
 standardized lung ultrasound examination on Day 1. For mechanically ventilated patients only,
 a lung ultrasound examination will be repeated on Day 2 to 4. End expiratory lung volume will
 also be measured in mechanically ventilated patients on Day 1 and Day 2 to 4. Lung ultrasound
 images will be interpreted blindly. Correlation of ultrasound-based aeration scores will be
 done with lung aeration measured by computed tomographic images.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Hospitalized or visiting the emergency room

 -  Will undergo a computed tomographic scan for dyspnea or hypoxemia

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Poor echogenicity (morbid obesity, multiple thoracic dressings)

 -  Contraindications to superior limbs or torso mobilization