Role of point of care ultrasound in COVID-19 pandemic: what lies beyond the horizon?

Galluccio, Felice; Ergonenc, Tolga; Yamak Altinpulluk, Ece; Perez Herrero, Maria; De la Torre Carpente, Maria Del Mar; Capassoni, Marco; Espinoza, Karla; Aragon Benedi, Cristian; Allam, Abdallah El-Sayed; Orzalesi, Vanni; Fajardo Perez, Mario

The pandemic of COVID-19 requires rapid and easy access to reliable imaging modalities for diagnosis and follow up. Considering the cost-effectiveness of the imaging used, ultrasound is a non-ionizing, portable and bedside imaging modality with a high diagnostic impact in emergencies and intensive care units in pandemics, but it is operator dependent. In our article, we provide a comprehensive review of the role of point-of-care ultrasound in the diagnosis of COVID-19 infection and its impact on the lungs, cardiovascular system, eyes and abdominal organs. Moreover, ultrasound can provide real-time diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, such as the placement of a central catheter and aspiration of pericardial effusion. Awareness of health care professionals in the front-line fighting COVID-19 infection in emergency rooms, clinics, and in intensive care units is important and will help rapid and targeted management decisions.