On August 15, 2020, the inaugural meeting in conjunction with the first work meeting of "Critical Care Medicine Group of Chinese Ultrasound Doctors Association (CUDA) of Chinese Medical Doctor Association (CMDA)" was held in Changsha, Hunan province. CUDA announced the establishment of Critical Care Medicine Group (branch committee) of CUDA. Ruan Litao, Director of Department of Ultrasound of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University (XJTU) served as the Head of the group (Chairman).

Under the leadership of Director Ruan Litao, Department of Ultrasound has gradually explored the novel field of critical care ultrasound medicine, set up a critical care ultrasound group, and gradually carried out critical care medicine-related ultrasound examinations, such as lung ultrasound, bedside echocardiography, transesophageal echocardiography, peri-ECMO ultrasound and intraoperative ultrasound. Accumulated work has been conducted in the application of peri-ECMO ultrasound in preoperative evaluation, intraoperative guidance and monitoring of postoperative complications, receiving widespread recognition and approval from ultrasound specialists at home and abroad.

To improve the response capability of emergency ultrasound to national emergency health events, assist in clinical diagnosis and treatment of emergent and critical diseases and promote the long-term development of critical care ultrasound, CUDA has established the Critical Care Medicine Group in accordance with Management Regulations of Chinese Ultrasound Doctors Association of Chinese Medical Doctor Association and Management Regulations of Professional Committee of Chinese Ultrasound Doctors Association of Chinese Medical Doctor Association. Based upon the recommendation by national committee members of CUDA and extensive solicitation of expert opinions, CUDA designated a recommendation list and reported the list to CMDA. One Head and five Deputy Head were designated. During the inaugural meeting, Director Ruan Litao delivered a speech regarding the work plan, highlighting that the development of critical care ultrasound remains extremely slow in China and it is a huge responsibility to be the first Head of the group. Critical Care Medicine Group will actively explore and fully utilize the advantages of critical care ultrasound medicine, work hard and strive to promote the rapid development of critical care ultrasound medicine in China.

Critical Care Medicine Group of CUDA gathers prestigious ultrasound experts throughout China, aiming to accelerate the development of critical care ultrasound medicine, promote the popularization and application of critical care ultrasound medicine, adapt to the development needs of critical care ultrasound medicine, play a synergic role of the field of medical ultrasound nationwide and improve the overall diagnosis and treatment levels of critical care ultrasound medicine in China.