In the intensive care unit, patient lung ultrasound provides accurate information on lung morphology with diagnostic and therapeutic relevance. It enables clinicians easy, rapid, and reliable evaluation of lung aeration and its variations at the bedside.

In critically ill patients, bedside visualization of lung morphology and aeration loss is crucial to optimize positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and other therapeutic procedures. Although chest radiography is routinely performed, it has limited diagnostic performance, and lung computed tomography (CT) remains the reference method. Ultrasonography can be used at the bedside and gained widespread acceptance even in unexpected situations such as tracheal intubation or evaluation of intracranial pressure.

The aim of this Clinical Concept and Commentary is to review how LUS can be used by physicians at the bedside to manage hypoxemic ventilated patients for setting mechanical ventilation parameters and monitoring the effects of any therapy aimed at improving lung aeration.

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