FALLS protocol

Background

Based on a review article^[1] by David Lichtenstein^[2]
The FALLS-protocol is an ultrasound evaluation based protocol for the assessment of patients with acute circulatory failure.
- It relies on the evaluation of the pleura, lungs and pericardium using ultrasound to in a step wise fashion try to define which type of circulatory shock is present (according to Weil's shock classification).

FALLS-Protocol^[3]

Endpoints

Administration of iv fluid until clinical improvement or development of a B-profile.

On which patients to use

A shocked patient with an A-profile - called a FALLS-responder.

Limitations

No value in patients presenting with B-profile - no endpoint can be defined. Cardiogenic shock with no lung edema - e.g. right ventricular infarction - are associated with an A-profile.

Sources

Authors:

[1] ttp://www.heartlungandvessels.org/index.php?pag=rivista_articles&id_numero=1&id_articolo=223

[2] ttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Lichtenstein+D%5BAuthor%5D

[3] ttp://www.heartlungandvessels.org/index.php?pag=rivista_articles&id_numero=1&id_articolo=223

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