Training Program for Cardiology Residents to Perform Focused Cardiac Ultrasound Examination with Portable Device

2015 ◽  
Vol 32 (10) ◽  
pp. 1455-1462 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vicente N. Siqueira ◽  
Frederico J. N. Mancuso ◽  
Orlando Campos ◽  
Angelo A. De Paola ◽  
Antonio C. Carvalho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Training Program ◽  
Ultrasound Examination ◽  
Portable Device ◽  
Cardiac Ultrasound ◽  
Focused Cardiac Ultrasound

I Will Be at Your (Bed)Side – The Role of Bedside Echocardiography for Non-Cardiologists

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (04) ◽  
pp. 362-386
Author(s):  
Francesco Casella ◽  
Riccardo Schiavon ◽  
Elisa Ceriani ◽  
Chiara Cogliati
Keyword(s):  
Ultrasound Examination ◽  
Color Doppler ◽  
Cardiac Ultrasound ◽  
Focused Cardiac Ultrasound ◽  
Brief Training ◽  
Bedside Echocardiography ◽  
Echocardiographic Examination ◽  
Diagnostic Role ◽  
Post Traumatic

AbstractAs the availability of portable echocardiographic equipment is becoming more and more widespread, physicians can add a powerful tool to their bedside examination skills, thus helping them to more effectively face the growing complexity of patients admitted to internal medicine departments or the emergency room. Focused cardiac ultrasound (FoCUS) can be defined as a goal-directed, simplified, qualitative examination performed at the bedside using portable echocardiographic devices. FoCUS is not meant to be a substitute for a standard 2D color Doppler echocardiographic examination. Nevertheless, it can provide rapid and reliable information when limited to basic questions, even when performed by non-cardiologists with brief training. Furthermore, a focused cardiac ultrasound examination maximizes its diagnostic role when integrated with an ultrasonographic assessment of the lung, abdomen and deep veins, in a multisystem approach that is particularly dear to internists. In this article, we will focus on the specific targets of a focused cardiac ultrasound examination, as well as the most common pitfalls that can be encountered in ultrasonographic practice. We will also address the application of FoCUS in the management of two typical scenarios in clinical practice, such as dyspnea and non-post-traumatic hypotension.

Measuring cardiac index with a focused cardiac ultrasound examination in the ED

2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (9) ◽  
pp. 1845-1851 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vi Am Dinh ◽  
H. Samuel Ko ◽  
Rajiv Rao ◽  
Ramesh C. Bansal ◽  
Dustin D. Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Index ◽  
Ultrasound Examination ◽  
Cardiac Ultrasound ◽  
Focused Cardiac Ultrasound

scholarly journals Learning Experiences Among GP Registrars After a Focused Cardiac Ultrasound Training Program: A Qualitative Interview Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rita Sjöström ◽  
Carolina Klockmo ◽  
Lars Söderström ◽  
Gunnar Nilsson
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Cardiac Function ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Skill Acquisition ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Interview Study ◽  
Cardiac Ultrasound ◽  
Primary Care Clinics ◽  
Focused Cardiac Ultrasound ◽  
Qualitative Interview Study

Abstract Background: Until recently, clinical ultrasound technology was limited to the hospital-based disciplines, and few studies assessed training in focused cardiac ultrasound (FCU) in primary care. We designed an interview study among general practitioner (GP) registrars taking part in an FCU training program and discussed their experiences compared to their documented skills.Methods: This qualitative content analysis used an inductive approach. Five GP registrars and their tutor participated in semi-structured individual interviews during April–July 2017. Participants were interviewed after they each had conducted 20 supervised and 7–10 independent examinations and were encouraged to complete self-directed study using video tutorials on web-based platforms. FCU examinations of study patients recruited from primary care clinics were conducted with a hand-held device (Vscan 1.2) at the Centre of Clinical Research, Östersund Hospital, Sweden. Results: We identified two categories of information: the prerequisites of learning FCU and the acquisition of skills for professional development. Combining theoretical education with hands-on tutorials was an essential part of FCU learning. However, participants suggested that the training program should include group tutorials to give a deeper understanding of scanning positions and a reference standard for evaluating the FCU recordings. In skill acquisition, participants experienced more confidence in performing the technical aspects of FCU than in interpreting the images to evaluate cardiac function. The participants saw several possibilities for applying FCU in primary care, including as a screening tool in rural clinics or to support referrals to specialized care.Conclusions: After completing 20 supervised FCU training sessions, previously inexperienced examiners felt that assessment of cardiac function was more difficult than acquiring adequate ultrasound images. To gain confidence in assessment of cardiac function, respondents suggested personal feedback and group tutorials with discussion of clinical examples in smaller groups for improvement of learning. Demographic differences between patients seen in hospital wards and primary care clinics should also be considered in the design of FCU training programs. Trial registration: NTC02939157, ClinicalTrials.gov.

scholarly journals Focused Cardiac Ultrasound Examination as a Tool for Diagnosis of Infective Endocarditis and Myocarditis in Dogs and Cats

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 3162
Author(s):  
Olga Szaluś-Jordanow ◽  
Marta Stabińska-Smolarz ◽  
Michał Czopowicz ◽  
Agata Moroz ◽  
Marcin Mickiewicz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infective Endocarditis ◽  
Ultrasound Examination ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Histopathological Examination ◽  
Severe Heart Failure ◽  
Initial Diagnosis ◽  
Cardiac Ultrasound ◽  
Focused Cardiac Ultrasound ◽  
Loss Of Appetite ◽  
Active Inflammation

Symptoms of infective endocarditis (IE) and myocarditis are usually nonspecific and include fever, apathy, and loss of appetite. This condition can lead to severe heart failure with ascites or/and fluid in the thoracic cavity or/and in the pericardial sac. We describe infective endocarditis and myocarditis in 3 dogs and 4 cats. In all animals, the initial diagnosis was performed on the basis of a focused cardiac ultrasound examination performed by a general practitioner after a training in this technique. The initial findings were confirmed by a board-certified specialist in veterinary cardiology. Post mortem positive microbiological results from valves were obtained in 4 of 7 patients. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was confirmed in 2 cases and Staphylococcus epidermidis was confirmed in 2 cases, one of which included Enterococcus sp. coinfection. Histopathological examination confirmed initial diagnosis in 5 of 7 animals. In the remaining 2 patients, the time elapsed from the onset of clinical symptoms to death was about 1 month and no active inflammation but massive fibrosis was found microscopically. This is, to our best knowledge, the first report of IE and myocarditis diagnosed in small animals using focused cardiac ultrasound examination. Therefore, we conclude that common usage of this technique by trained general veterinarians may increase the rate of diagnosed patients with these conditions.

scholarly journals One clot after another in COVID-19 patient: diagnostic utility of handheld echocardiogram

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gini Priyadharshini Jeyashanmugaraja ◽  
Evgeny Shloknik ◽  
Deborah Tosin Akanya ◽  
Kristin Stawiarski ◽  
Christopher Winterbottom ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Right Ventricular ◽  
Care Setting ◽  
Pressure Overload ◽  
Massive Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Cardiac Ultrasound ◽  
Ventricular Dilation ◽  
Severe Respiratory Distress ◽  
Systemic Thrombolysis ◽  
Focused Cardiac Ultrasound ◽  
Right Ventricular Dilation

ABSTRACT A 63-year-old woman was admitted with severe respiratory distress requiring mechanical ventilation and shock requiring vasopressor support. She was found to have COVID-19 pneumonia. Focused cardiac ultrasound performed for evaluation of shock was significant for right ventricular dilation and dysfunction with signs of right ventricular pressure overload. Given worsening shock and hypoxemia systemic thrombolysis was administered for presumed massive pulmonary embolism with remarkable improvement of hemodynamics and respiratory failure. In next 24 h patient’s neurologic status deteriorated to the point of unresponsiveness. Emergent computed tomography showed multiple ischemic infarcts concerning for embolic etiology. Focused cardiac ultrasound with agitated saline showed large right to left shunt due to a patent foramen ovale. This was confirmed by transesophageal echocardiogram, 5 months later. This case highlights strengths of focused cardiac ultrasound in critical care setting and in patients with COVID-19 when access to other imaging modalities can be limited.

Focused Cardiac Ultrasound

2015 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 727-736 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Minardi ◽  
Tom Marshall ◽  
Greta Massey ◽  
Erin Setzer
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Ultrasound ◽  
Focused Cardiac Ultrasound
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