THE EVOLVING ROLE OF POINT-OF-CARE ULTRASOUND (POCUS) IN ICU AND EMERGENCY ANAESTHESIA

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has rapidly become anessential tool in emergency anaesthesia and critical care, offering real-time, non-invasive imaging at thebedside to support rapid and informed clinical decisions in critically ill patients. It significantly enhances the diagnosis and management of life threatening conditions such as shock, pneumothorax, and cardiac tamponade by improving the evaluation of cardiac function, intravascular volume, and pulmonary abnormalities. Standardised protocols includingfocused cardiac ultrasound, Lung ultrasound,the Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma, extended FASTstreamline diagnosis and facilitate precise and targeted interventions.POCUS is widely applied in evaluating cardiovascular,respiratory, abdominal, and vascular assessments, as well as for guiding procedures such as vascular access and regional anaesthesia. Within anaesthetic practice, it serves critical roles in airway assessment, gastric content assessment, and haemodynamic monitoring. As advancements in ultrasound technology continue, structured training programs and education becomes more prevalent, POCUS is increasingly recognised as a core competency in emergency anaesthesia and critical care anaesthesia.