Table 3.

Typical sonographic findings in different types of shock

Sepsis	Focused cardiac ultrasound imaging	Lung ultrasound imaging
Hypovolemic	Hyperdynamic LV ↓ Cardiac output* Small collapsible IVC	A-lines
Cardiogenic	↓ LV function ↓ Cardiac output Dilated IVC	B-lines Pleural effusions
Obstructive	Pericardial effusion Dilated right ventricle with interventricular septal flattening (in pulmonary embolism) ↓Cardiac output Dilated IVC	A-lines Focal B-lines may be seen with large lung infarcts
Distributive	Varying LV function (usually hyperdynamic) ↑ Cardiac output Variable IVC	A-lines Focal B-lines/hepatization in case of pneumonia

^*Measurement of cardiac output involves spectral Doppler imaging, which requires a higher operator skill level