Hemodynamic Monitoring by Point-of-Care Ultrasound: A Multiorgan, Physiology-Driven Approach to Precision Cardiac Critical Care (From Static Assessment to Dynamic Functional Assessment)
Sambhunath Das Professor, Department of Cardiac Anaesthesia and Critical Care, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India., India
Roja Emani Senior Resident, Department of Cardiac Anaesthesia and Critical Care, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi,, India
Address for correspondence: Sambhunath Das, Professor, Department of Cardiac Anaesthesia and Critical Care, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India., India E-mail: sambhunathds833@gmail.com
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Sambhunath Das, Roja Emani. Hemodynamic Monitoring by Point-of-Care Ultrasound: A Multiorgan, Physiology-Driven Approach to Precision Cardiac Critical Care (From Static Assessment to Dynamic Functional Assessment). Indian J Cardiovasc Med Surg. 2026; 12(1): 11–20.
Timeline
Received : March 03, 2026
Accepted : April 02, 2026
Published : April 30, 2026
Abstract
One of the most critical insights required for the management of a critically ill patient is to know the hemodynamic parameters. Over years, hemodynamic monitoring has evolved from simple bedside clinical examination to invasive monitoring techniques such as pulmonary artery catheterization, pulse contour analysis and is advancing into non-invasive methods improving the safety profile of the patient. Traditional invasive techniques such as pulmonary artery catheterization and transpulmonary thermodilution have provided detailed physiological insights but are associated with procedural risks and intermittent data acquisition. Over the past two decades, point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has emerged as an advanced bedside monitoring modality enabling real-time, repeatable, and non-invasive hemodynamic assessment. POCUS allows integrated evaluation of cardiac output, ventricular function, preload, afterload, pulmonary congestion, and systemic venous congestion. By facilitating rapid shock phenotyping and guiding individualized resuscitation strategies, it represents a paradigm shift from static pressure-based monitoring toward dynamic, physiology-oriented multiorgan assessment. This review synthesizes current evidence regarding the clinical application of cardiac, vascular, pulmonary, and venous Doppler ultrasound in hemodynamic monitoring, discusses limitations, and outlines future directions in precision cardiac critical care
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Data Sharing Statement
There are no additional data available. All raw data and code are available upon request.
Funding
This research received no funding.
Author Contributions
All authors contributed significantly to the work and approve its publication.
Ethics Declaration
This article does not involve any human or animal subjects, and therefore does not require ethics approval.
Acknowledgements
We would like to express our gratitude to the patients, their families, and all those who have contributed to this study.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.
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Cite this article
Sambhunath Das, Roja Emani. Hemodynamic Monitoring by Point-of-Care Ultrasound: A Multiorgan, Physiology-Driven Approach to Precision Cardiac Critical Care (From Static Assessment to Dynamic Functional Assessment). Indian J Cardiovasc Med Surg. 2026; 12(1): 11–20.
This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
Parasternal long axis view showing right ventricle, left ventricle, left atrium and aorta
Description: No description available.
Parasternal short axis view showing left ventricle and right ventricle in short axis. This view is used to visualize for any regional wall motion abnormalities, volume in LV, and estimate LVEF using M-mode
Description: No description available.
This image shows the apical 4-chamber view which can be used for assessment for LV systolic and diastolic function and RV function
Description: No description available.
Image showing subcostal view. Most commonly used to interpret RV function and check for any pericardial effusion.
Description: No description available.
Grading for diastolic dysfunction based on mitral inflow and tissue doppler (adapted from 1)
Description: No description available.
Image showing subcostal IVC view. This view is used to measure IVC diameter and IVC collapsibility or distensibility index using M-mode as shown in the image approximately 2 cms caudal to IVC-RA junction and is used to estimate fluid responsiveness of the patient
Description: No description available.
Apical 5 chamber showing Aorta and LVOT in addition to all 4 chambers.This view is used to measure LVOT-VTI using pulse wave doppler for estimation of stroke volume and cardiac output.
Description: No description available.
Summary of ultrasonographic views for assessment of heart, lung, IVC