The use of echocardiography, whilst well established in cardiology, is a relatively new concept in critical care medicine. However, in recent years echocardiography's potential as both a diagnostic tool and a form of advanced monitoring in the critically ill @entity1 has been increasingly recognised. In this series of Critical Care Echo Rounds, we explore the role of echocardiography in @entity3124 , beginning here with @entity1344 . We discuss the pathophysiology of the shock state, the techniques available to manage haemodynamic compromise, and the unique role which echocardiography plays in this complex process. CASE: A 69-year-old female presents to the emergency department with a fever, @entity911 and @entity158 on urinating. Her blood pressure on arrival was 70/40, with heart rate of 117bpm Despite 3l of i.v. fluid she remained @entity551 . A central venous catheter was inserted and @entity1063 infusion commenced, and she was admitted to the intensive care unit for management of her shock state. At 6h post admission, she was on high dose of @entity1063 (0.7 g/kg per min) but blood pressure remained problematic. An echocardiogram was requested to better determine her haemodynamic state.

CRITICAL CARE ECHO ROUNDS: XXXX .

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patient'] @entity3124 :: ('MESH:D016638', 'Disease') :: ['critical illness'] @entity911 :: ('MESH:D003221', 'Disease') :: ['confusion'] @entity158 :: ('MESH:D010146', 'Disease') :: ['pain'] @entity1344 :: ('MESH:D043171', 'Disease') :: ['haemodynamic instability'] @entity1063 :: ('MESH:D009638', 'Chemical') :: ['noradrenaline'] @entity551 :: ('MESH:D007022', 'Disease') :: ['hypotensive']
@entity1344 :: (MESH:D043171,Disease) :: ['Haemodynamic instability']
