Dransart-Rayé O, Roldi E, Zieleskiewicz L, et al. - Researchers focused on the value of lung ultrasound as a marker for predicting ventilatory support after surgery in high-risk surgical patients. Participants were patients (n = 109) admitted to ICU while having mechanical ventilation of the lungs after major surgery. Findings revealed a lower PaO₂/F_IO₂ ratio and more requirement of postoperative ventilatory support in patients with a lung ultrasound score ≥ 10 vs those with lung ultrasound score < 10. The presence of acute respiratory distress syndrome and cardiogenic pulmonary oedema was reported in 20 patients and in 14 patients, respectively. A lower PaO₂/F_IO₂ ratio, postoperative ventilatory support, longer intensive care stay and episodes of ventilator-related pneumonia demanding antibiotics were observed in relation to the presence of ≥ 2 areas of consolidated lung. In this study, the ability of lung ultrasound scoring and atelectasis detection, at ICU admission, for predicting postoperative pulmonary outcomes following major visceral surgery, and hence improving bed-side decision making, was suggested.