Lung ultrasonography: a practical guide for cardiologists.

Abstract

: Lung ultrasonography is a well established, user-friendly and easy-to-use technique that can be used in the evaluation of several pathological conditions affecting the lung. Adding lung ultrasonography to traditional echocardiography provides an integrated cardiopulmonary ultrasound analysis. The simultaneous collection of information about the heart and the lungs can help physicians to investigate acute and chronic cardio-pulmonary conditions within a noninvasive, single-probe and all-in-one examination, not exposing the patient to the danger of ionizing radiation. We here briefly review the echographic techniques used to scan the chest and the lungs with the aim of providing cardiologists with a brief guide of the basics of lung ultrasound physics, procedures and work-up.