Table 1 Main recent proceedings in the use of CCE

New developments in echocardiography in the critically ill

1. CCE is currently recommended as the first-line modality to assess patients with shock

2. CEE relies on basic and advanced levels of competence corresponding to distinct standardized educational requirements

3. CCE guides the front-line intensivist in assessing fluid requirement

4. CCE is currently recommended for the diagnosis of acute respiratory distress syndrome

5. CCE uses a simple yet robust and sound diagnostic approach

6. CCE becomes a monitoring rather than a diagnostic tool

7. CCE benefits from continuous technological refinements (e.g., speckle tracking)

8. CCE is ideally suited for guiding tailored management of unstable patients