According to the outcomes of a prospective observational study, the interobserver agreement was the maximum for more distinct lung ultrasound (LUS) findings (such as subpleural lung consolidations and air bronchograms), making it more suitable for examining disease state in individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection. This research study by Markus H. Lerchbaumer et al. aimed to examine the interobserver and intraobserver agreement in LUS of COVID-19 patients.

Overall, 100 recorded cine-loops were evaluated in confirmed COVID-19 patients in the critical care unit. A web-based rating tool was used to rate a total of 400 loops by 10 observers with diverse subspecialties. After thorough analysis, interobserver agreement for both, recognition of particular pathologies and LUS scores allocation was regarded as fair to moderate.

The intraobserver agreement generally varied from moderate to significant, with greater agreement favouring more definite findings. It is safe to say that more distinct LUS outcomes may be more appropriate for disease monitoring, especially in the follow-up of patients by >1 investigator.

Keeping in view these outcomes, the training material used for LUS in point-of-care ultrasound should be more focused on sections like quantification of B-line and distinguish intermediate LUS scores, the study authors concluded.