Assessment of the Prognostic Value of the Thickness of the Quadriceps and Abdominal Muscles Measured by Ultrasound for 28-day Mortality in Postoperative ICU Patients

Ultrasound measurement of muscle thickness, particularly of the quadriceps, can be used to highlight a reduction in lean mass. Sarcopenia is annvoluntary loss of lean mass, and it is a frequent and major problem in the intensive care unit (ICU). Sarcopenia is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, as previously demonstrated by CT scan measurements.

Nevertheless, due to its nature and cost, it does not appears reasonable to perform CT sarcopenia evaluation in all ICU patients. Described in the literature as evolving rapidly upon admission to ICU, accurate assessment of this loss of muscle mass would allow early detection of sarcopenia and adaptation of therapeutic management, particularly nutritional and rehabilitative.

There are many advantages to evaluating sarcopenia by ultrasound measurement: simple, rapid, achievable at the patient's bedside, no exposure to radiation, non-invasive, and low cost. The abdominal muscles (external oblique, internal oblique, transverse) constitute the accessory respiratory muscles. Easily accessible by ultrasound, they are a potential target for the evaluation of sarcopenia, which could be responsible for ventilatory withdrawal failures, prolonged stays in intensive care and associated complications. The combined ultrasound measurement of the quadriceps and accessory respiratory muscles in ICU patients therefore appears to be an innovative approach. Considering the ease of implementation, the validity of ultrasound (confirmed in the literature), and the safety of the technique, we wish to evaluate the link between the muscle mass at arrival in the postoperative Intensive Care Unit of the Dijon University Hospital by ultrasound measurement of the quadriceps and accessory respiratory muscles, and: mortality, duration of mechanical ventilation, length of stay and occurrence of intercurrent events.