Usefulness of Bedside Point‑of‑care Ultrasounds in Intensive Care Unit for Septic Patients: A Consensus Statement of the Italian Society of Echocardiography and Cardiovascular Imaging

Sepsis and septic shock remain major causes of morbidity and mortality and are frequently complicated by multiple organ dysfunction, making management particularly challenging for intensivists. Early recognition of hemodynamic instability, prompt identification of the infectious source, and timely interventions are crucial to improve outcomes. Bedside point‑of‑care ultrasound (POCUS) is a safe, rapid, and noninvasive tool that supports real‑time assessment of the septic patient, guiding both diagnosis and treatment. A structured POCUS approach can be used for initial hemodynamic evaluation, detection of infectious foci, and ultrasound (US)‑guided therapeutic procedures directly at the bedside. In addition, the relatively low cost and portability of US make it especially valuable in low‑resource settings, promoting more standardized and equitable care. This article provides a practical guide to the use of bedside US in patients with sepsis and septic shock admitted to the intensive care unit, focusing on key views, essential findings, and their implications for clinical management.