This is a multicenter prospective observational study. From March 1st, 2020 until May 30th, 2020, patients from 20 different hospitals were evaluated (Online Resource 1). In each hospital, the main local LUS expert was nominated as the site principal investigator and was responsible for patient enrollment and LUS image acquisition.
Inclusion criteria were: (1) clinical suspicion of SARS-CoV-2 infection leading to presentation to the ED, or admission to COVID Unit or Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the enrolling Hospitals. Clinical suspicion was based on the following symptoms lasting for at least 3 days in the absence of an alternative more probable diagnosis: major criteria (at least one): fever > 37.5 °C, cough, dyspnea, anosmia and/or ageusia; minor criteria (at least two): sore throat, bilateral conjunctivitis, generalized weakness, rhinorrhea, headache, diffuse musculoskeletal pain, gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea, nausea, vomiting); (2) age ≥ 18 years. Exclusion criteria were: (1) a previous diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia; (2) a previous pneumonectomy, pleurodesis, or history of fibrothorax.
All the enrolled patients were examined by LUS and received a nasopharyngeal swab for SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR. Oxygen saturation and/or arterial blood gas analysis were measured in all patients.
Volpicelli G., Gargani L., Perlini S., Spinelli S., Barbieri G., Lanotte A., Casasola G.G., Nogué-Bou R., Lamorte A., Agricola E., Villén T., Deol P.S., Nazerian P., Corradi F., Stefanone V., Fraga D.N., Navalesi P., Ferre R., Boero E., Martinelli G., Cristoni L., Perani C., Vetrugno L., McDermott C., Miralles-Aguiar F., Secco G., Zattera C., Salinaro F., Grignaschi A., Boccatonda A., Giostra F., Infante M.N., Covella M., Ingallina G., Burkert J., Frumento P., Forfori F, & Ghiadoni L. (2021). Lung ultrasound for the early diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia: an international multicenter study. Intensive Care Medicine, 47(4), 444-454.