Assessment of Extravascular Lung Water Using Lung Ultrasound in Critically Ill Patients Admitted to Intensive Care Unit

Background: Lung ultrasound (LUS) is a simple bedside tool to assess overhydration. Our study aimed to assess extravascular lung water (EVLW) using B -lines and correlate it with weaning, duration of mechanical ventilation, and mortality in critically ill patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Patients and methods: 150 mechanically ventilated ICU patients prospectively observed over 18 months, with their demographic and clinical data noted. Extravascular lung water was monitored using LUS in four intercostal spaces (ICS) from day 1 to day 5, day 7, day 10, and weekly thereafter. Pulmonary fluid burden was graded as low (1-10), moderate (11-20), and high (21-32). Weaning outcome, duration of weaning, mechanical ventilation, ICU stay, and mortality were compared in patients with and without EVLW. Results: Out of 150, 54 patients (36.0%) had EVLW. The mean lung score amongst our patients was 8.57 +/- 6.0. The mean time for detection of EVLW was 1.43 +/- 2.24 days. Lung score was low in 40 (26.67%) patients, moderate in 9 (6.00%) patients, and high in 5 (3.33%) patients. Incidence of weaning failure (p -value = 0.006), duration of weaning, mechanical ventilation, ICU stay (p -value < 0.0001 each), and overall mortality were significantly higher in patients with EVLW (p -value = 0.006). Conclusion: We conclude that a good proportion of critically ill patients have EVLW. Extravascular lung water significantly increases the duration of weaning, mechanical ventilation days, ICU stay, and overall mortality in critically ill patients.