[...]an extension of the standard perioperative examination aimed at searching for pathologies that may affect the intra- and postoperative course performed by an anaesthesiologist seems fully justified and may have a significant impact on treatment outcomes [2]. In elective procedures, patients are usually prepared for anaesthesia and their cardiopulmonary efficiency is optimal;nevertheless in some of them, pre-anaesthesia ultrasound assessment can identify the pathological changes that may have a significant impact on the risk of intra- and postoperative complications [5]. A separate group of patients who may benefit from the POCUS assessment are patients undergoing emergency procedures in whom complete respiratory-cardiovascular assessment and preoperative preparation are not feasible.
Editorial “Minute Zero: an essential assessment in peri-operative ultrasound for anaesthesia”