Diagnostic features of nosocomial pneumonia after open heart surgery: a series of clinical cases

Introduction. To date, diagnostic criteria for nosocomial pneumonia after open heart surgery have not been developed, the sensitivity and specificity of generally accepted criteria have not been studied, and their presence may be due to a number of other reasons related to surgical trauma. Rentgenography of the lungs does not always reveal this complication against the background of postoperative changes in the chest organs. Focal ultrasound examination of the lungs using the color Doppler mapping mode seems to be a promising method of verifying pneumonia in this category of patients, which is not inferior to computed tomography.

A short description. Three clinical cases of ultrasound examination are presented, demonstrating changes in the lung parenchyma that are characteristic and uncharacteristic of nosocomial pneumonia.

Conclusion. Focal ultrasound examination of the lungs with color Doppler mapping of blood flow is an informative and safe radiological method for diagnosing pneumonia in patients who have undergone open heart surgery.

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