Echocardiography
Echocardiography assessment was performed in all patients within 48 h of
ICU admission by the same echocardiographer using a commercially
available system (Vivid E9, GE, Inc.) equipped with a 2.5-4MHz
transducer (M5S probe). All patients were examined in a calm or sedated
state. All echocardiographic parameters were evaluated according to
American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) guidelines [12].