Exploring the use of lung ultrasonography to access cardiac surgery patients: a scoping review.

Lung ultrasound (LUS) is a safe, quick, and portable diagnostic tool which can accurately detect respiratory complications post-surgery without radiation. The aim of this scoping review was to map the evidence base regarding the use of LUS within the cardiac surgery population. JBI methodology for scoping reviews. In total, 90 reports were identified: 73 research studies, 6 narrative reviews, and 11 narrative, opinion and text articles. Studies were predominantly observational cohort and aimed to determine or compare LUS diagnostic ability, prognostic ability or both. LUS methods were heterogenous and variably reported. Despite an increasing number of studies since 2014, standardised protocols for the use of LUS are yet to be widely adopted and remain an important area for further work. Future research should consider exploring perceptions and experiences of LUS, the use of LUS in treatment outcome measurement, and use by non-physician healthcare professionals.