FALLS protocol
Background
- 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[1]
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.