The Use of Ultrasonography in Improving The Success of Rehabilitation Process in ICU

Complications of various degenerative and genetic diseases on physical fitness can occur directly and indirectly. Indirect causes are due to prolonged immobilization, leading to reduced functional capacity. Direct causes may involve diseases that result in decreased cardiac and pulmonary function. Prolonged ventilator use in the ICU might significantly reduce cardiopulmonary function and even high risk in ventilator weaning challenging for patients. One of the newest method to assess pulmonary function in the ICU is ultrasonography, which evaluates the diaphragmatic muscle function in ventilator-dependent patients. This method has been applied in several educational hospitals and hopefully might improve our capacity as physiatrist. Cardiorespiratory fitness is achieved through regular and continuous exercise. Cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation is carried out from the acute phase to the community. Rehabilitation conducted in the ICU is a supportive and essential rehabilitation process. Why? Because the ICU rehabilitation stage can have a tremendous effect on improving weaning ventilation ability. Preservation and improvement of lung function and cardiopulmonary function allow patients to wean faster and increase their level of mobilization.