Echo in Pandemic: Front Line Perspective, Expanding Role of Ultrasound and Ethics of Resource Allocation

The grave clinical context of the pandemic must be understood. Italy is immersed in COVID-19. Most of the world will soon follow. The United States currently has the most documented cases of COVID-19 of any nation. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) associated acute cardiomyopathy is common in critical care patients and is associated with a high mortality. COVID-19 patients frequently require mechanical support for adequate oxygenation. A severe shortfall of ventilators is predicted.

Source: Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography - April 9, 2020 Category: Cardiology Authors: Daniel H. Drake, Michele De Bonis, Michele Covella, Eustachio Agricola, Alberto Zangrillo, Karen G. Zimmerman, Frederick C. Cobey Source Type: research