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. 2020 Aug;32(4):694-696.
doi: 10.1111/1742-6723.13546. Epub 2020 Jun 16.

CLUE: COVID-19 lung ultrasound in emergency department

Vijay Manivel  1 , Andrew Lesnewski  1 , Simin Shamim  1 , Genevieve Carbonatto  2 , Thiru Govindan  2
Affiliations

CLUE: COVID-19 lung ultrasound in emergency department

Vijay Manivel et al. Emerg Med Australas. 2020 Aug.

Abstract

Lung ultrasound (LUS) plays a critical role in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Evidence is mounting on its utility to diagnose, assess the severity and as a triage tool in the ED. Sonographic features correlate well to computed tomography (CT) chest findings and a bedside LUS performed by a trained clinician along with clinical examination, could be an alternative to chest X-ray and CT chest in these highly infectious patients. In this article, we have described a step-by-step approach to LUS in COVID patients and the CLUE (COVID-19 LUS in the ED) protocol, which involves an anatomical parameter, the severity of lung changes, objectively scored using the validated LUS scoring system and a physiological parameter, oxygen requirement. We believe this CLUE protocol can help risk-stratify patients presenting to ED with suspected COVID-19 and aid clinicians in making appropriate disposition decisions.

Keywords: CLUE; COVID-19; POCUS; emergency; lung ultrasound.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Left lung zones. L1, left upper anterior; L2, left lower anterior; L3, left upper lateral; L4, left lower lateral; L5, left upper posterior; L6, left lower posterior.
Figure 2
Figure 2
CLUE protocol. ICU, intensive care unit; LUSS, lung ultrasound scoring system; SPO2, pulse oximetry; ward, respiratory or other appropriate ward.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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