Thoracic Fluid Content by Electrical Cardiometry Versus Lung Ultrasound in Mechanically Ventilated Patients

Thoracic fluid content will be measured using electrical cardiometry device (ICON ® Cardiotronics, Inc., La Jolla, CA 92307; Osyka Medical GmbH, Berlin, and Germany, model C3, Serial no: 1725303). The ICON device will be connected to four electrocardiogram electrodes which will be placed over patients' skin after cleaning with alcohol at the neck below the left ear, just above the left clavicular midpoint, and two electrodes at left mid-axillary line one at the level of the xiphoid process, and the other electrode 5 cm below this point. The thoracic fluid content will be observed for 30 s and the average of the highest and lowest values will be recorded.

The 12-region technique for lung assessment will be performed using Philips ® (CX50 - Extreme edition) equipped with phased array transducer. B-line will be defined as laser like vertical hyperechoic artefact which extends between the pleural line and the bottom of the screen and moves with respiratory movements. Two types of B-lines will be evaluated.