Evaluating the accuracy and reliability of non-piezo portable ultrasound devices in postpartum care
- Open Access
- 04-10-2024
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Published in:
- Authors
- Ruben Plöger
- Charlotte Behning
- Adeline Walter
- Agnes Wittek
- Ulrich Gembruch
- Brigitte Strizek
- Florian Recker
- Published in
- Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics | Issue 4/2025
Abstract
Introduction
The early diagnosis of hemorrhage via postpartum ultrasound is crucial to initiate therapy and, thus, prevent maternal death. In these critical situations rapid availability and simple transport of ultrasound devices is vital, paving the way for a new generation of portable handheld ultrasound devices (PUD) consisting of transducers and tablets or smart phones. However, evidence to confirm the diagnostic accuracy of these new devices is still scarce.
Methods
The accuracy and reliability of these new devices in relation to established standard ultrasound devices is analyses in this pilot study by comparing diagnoses and by applying statistical analysis via Bland–Altman plots, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), and Pearson correlation coefficients (PCC). One hundred patients of a university hospital were included in this study.
Results
In all cases, the same diagnosis was made regardless of the applied ultrasound device, confirming high accuracy. There was a high correlation (PCC 0.951) and excellent agreement (ICC 0.974) in the assessment of the cavum, while the assessment of the diameters of the uterus showed only a good correlation and a good agreement. Subgroup analysis for maternal weight, mode of delivery and day after delivery was performed
Conclusion
The same diagnosis independent of the used devices and excellent results of the cavum assessment promote the use of PUDs in a clinical setting. The slightly lower accuracy in the measurement of the uterus may be caused by the PUD’s small acoustic window, reflecting one of its weaknesses. Therefore, the patient may benefit from the short time to diagnosis and the unbound location of examination, either in the delivery room, on the ward, or at home.
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- Title
- Evaluating the accuracy and reliability of non-piezo portable ultrasound devices in postpartum care
- Authors
-
Ruben Plöger
Charlotte Behning
Adeline Walter
Agnes Wittek
Ulrich Gembruch
Brigitte Strizek
Florian Recker
- Publication date
- 04-10-2024
- Publisher
- Springer Berlin Heidelberg
- Published in
-
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics / Issue 4/2025
Print ISSN: 0932-0067
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0711 - DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-024-07744-3
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