23 Apr 40 Years of Critical Care Ultrasound: Advancing ICU Practice Through Integrated POCUS
40 Years of Critical Care Ultrasound: Advancing ICU Practice Through Integrated POCUS
From Diagnostic Tool to Physiological Monitoring in the ICU
The event “40 Years of Ultrasound in the Department of Intensive Care Medicine”, supported by WINFOCUS, will be held on May 14th, 2026, at the University Hospital Centre Zagreb (Hospital Rebro), Educational Centre West, H. Bottery Hall.
It highlights the evolution of critical care ultrasound into a cornerstone of modern intensive care practice.
The lectures will be in Croatian, except for one delivered in English.
Key Lectures Driving Clinical Innovation
The program opens with Prof. Radovan Radonić, who revisits four decades of ultrasound integration in ICU workflows, emphasizing its role in real-time clinical decision-making.
A central highlight of the event is the participation of Prof. Daniel Lichtenstein, who established the main principles of lung ultrasound and is one of the most influential figures in the development of critical care ultrasonography. His acceptance of the invitation represents a significant distinction for the meeting and substantially enhances its scientific value.
His session focuses on the BLUE protocol, a standardized approach to lung ultrasound that enables rapid bedside diagnosis of acute respiratory failure. Its integration with echocardiography underscores the importance of a multimodal, physiology-driven assessment.
Hemodynamic Ultrasound and Venous Congestion
Dr. Toni Ivičić introduces the VEXUS framework, an essential tool for evaluating venous congestion and guiding fluid management in critically ill patients. This approach reflects a shift toward more precise, ultrasound-guided hemodynamic optimization.
Advanced Physiological Applications of POCUS
Further sessions explore the expanding role of ultrasound in physiological monitoring. Dr. Mia Rora Bertović examines the effect of intra-abdominal pressure on inferior vena cava (IVC) diameter, while Dr. Ela Ćurčić Karabaić presents methods to estimate intrapleural pressure changes using IVC ultrasound in mechanically ventilated ARDS patients.
A Paradigm Shift in Critical Care Ultrasound
Together, these lectures demonstrate how critical care ultrasound is transitioning from a diagnostic modality to an integrative tool for real-time physiological assessment. For the WINFOCUS community, this reinforces the importance of advanced POCUS training, standardization, and global dissemination to improve patient outcomes in the ICU.
DEPARTMENT FOR INTENSIVE CARE MEDICINE
Division for Internal Medicine,
University Hospital Centre Zagreb & School of Medicine University of Zagreb
No registration fee.
This event is accredited by Croatian Medical Chamber.
We look forward to welcoming you!
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