Bedside Ultrasound in the Management of Cardiorenal Syndromes: An Updated Review

Background: Cardiorenal syndromes constitute a spectrum of disorders involving heart and kidney dysfunction modulated by a complex interplay of neurohormonal, inflammatory and hemodynamic derangements. The management of such patients often poses a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge to physicians owing to gaps in understanding of pathophysiology, paucity of objective bedside diagnostic tools and individual biases. Summary: In this narrative review, we discuss the role of clinician performed bedside ultrasound in the management of patients with cardiorenal syndromes. Novel sonographic applications such as venous excess ultrasound (VExUS) are reviewed in addition to lung and focused cardiac ultrasound. Further, underrecognized causes of heart failure such as high flow arteriovenous fistula are discussed.