Shock interpretation and noninvasive hemodynamic monitoring with transthoracic echocardiography in an intensive care unit: a concise review

Circulatory failure and shock are common in critically ill patients, and the cause of shock is usually multifactorial. Transthoracic echocardiography is a noninvasive method to determine the contribution of various factors toward a patient's circulatory failure. Such factors include fluid status, cardiac contractility as well as vasomotor tone. Advances in echocardiographic measurements allow for the accurate estimation of a patient's loading status and cardiac contractility, which help to guide treatment strategy and monitor treatment response. This article offers an overview of echocardiographic and clinical parameters and aims to incorporate these findings into a methodical approach to the clinical management of shock.