Acute Cardiac Dysfunction in Critical Illnes

This study examines how the heart is affected in critically ill patients admitted to the ICU with failure of multiple organ systems. Researchers will use echocardiograms (heart ultrasound) to monitor heart function. **You may be eligible if...** - You are over 18 years old - You have been admitted to an ICU within the last 24 hours - You have significant failure of at least two organ systems (scoring at least 4 on a standard organ failure scale) - You or your next of kin have given consent to participate **You may NOT be eligible if...** - A heart ultrasound cannot be performed (e.g., due to a collapsed lung or dressings) - Your heart ultrasound cannot be completed within 24 hours of study entry - You withdraw consent after joining Talk to your doctor to see if this trial is right for you.