Skip to main content
Top
Published in: International Journal of Emergency Medicine 4/2008

Open Access 01-12-2008 | Review Article

Use of ultrasound by emergency medical services: a review

Authors: Bret P. Nelson, Kevin Chason

Published in: International Journal of Emergency Medicine | Issue 4/2008

Login to get access

Abstract

Prehospital ultrasound has been deployed in certain areas of the USA and Europe. Physicians, emergency medical technicians, and flight nurses have utilized a variety of medical and trauma ultrasound assessments to impact patient care in the field. The goal of this review is to summarize the literature on emergency medical services (EMS) use of ultrasound to more clearly define the potential utility of this technology for prehospital providers.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Kendall JL, Hoffenberg SR, Smith RS (2007) History of emergency and critical care ultrasound: the evolution of a new imaging paradigm. Crit Care Med 35(5 Suppl):S126–S130PubMedCrossRef Kendall JL, Hoffenberg SR, Smith RS (2007) History of emergency and critical care ultrasound: the evolution of a new imaging paradigm. Crit Care Med 35(5 Suppl):S126–S130PubMedCrossRef
2.
go back to reference Kirkpatrick AW, Sirois M, Laupland KB et al (2005) Prospective evaluation of hand-held focused abdominal sonography for trauma (FAST) in blunt abdominal trauma. Can J Surg 48:453–460PubMedPubMedCentral Kirkpatrick AW, Sirois M, Laupland KB et al (2005) Prospective evaluation of hand-held focused abdominal sonography for trauma (FAST) in blunt abdominal trauma. Can J Surg 48:453–460PubMedPubMedCentral
3.
go back to reference Kirkpatrick AW, Simons RK, Brown DR et al (2001) Digital hand-held sonography utilised for the focused assessment with sonography for trauma: a pilot study. Ann Acad Med Singapore 30:577–581PubMed Kirkpatrick AW, Simons RK, Brown DR et al (2001) Digital hand-held sonography utilised for the focused assessment with sonography for trauma: a pilot study. Ann Acad Med Singapore 30:577–581PubMed
4.
go back to reference Kirkpatrick AW, Simons RK, Brown R et al (2002) The hand-held FAST: experience with hand-held trauma sonography in a level-I urban trauma center. Injury 33(4):303–308PubMedCrossRef Kirkpatrick AW, Simons RK, Brown R et al (2002) The hand-held FAST: experience with hand-held trauma sonography in a level-I urban trauma center. Injury 33(4):303–308PubMedCrossRef
5.
go back to reference Rugolotto M, Hu BS, Liang DH et al (2001) Rapid assessment of cardiac anatomy and function with a new hand-carried ultrasound device (OptiGo): a comparison with standard echocardiography. Eur J Echocardiogr 2(4):262–269PubMedCrossRef Rugolotto M, Hu BS, Liang DH et al (2001) Rapid assessment of cardiac anatomy and function with a new hand-carried ultrasound device (OptiGo): a comparison with standard echocardiography. Eur J Echocardiogr 2(4):262–269PubMedCrossRef
6.
go back to reference Vourvouri EC, Poldermans D, De Sutter J et al (2002) Experience with an ultrasound stethoscope. J Am Soc Echocardiogr 15:80–85PubMedCrossRef Vourvouri EC, Poldermans D, De Sutter J et al (2002) Experience with an ultrasound stethoscope. J Am Soc Echocardiogr 15:80–85PubMedCrossRef
7.
go back to reference Vourvouri EC, Poldermans D, Schinkel AF et al (2001) Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening using a hand-held ultrasound device. “A pilot study”. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 22(4):352–354PubMedCrossRef Vourvouri EC, Poldermans D, Schinkel AF et al (2001) Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening using a hand-held ultrasound device. “A pilot study”. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 22(4):352–354PubMedCrossRef
8.
go back to reference Lapostolle F, Petrovic T, Lenoir G et al (2006) Usefulness of hand-held ultrasound devices in out-of-hospital diagnosis performed by emergency physicians. Am J Emerg Med 24:237–242PubMedCrossRef Lapostolle F, Petrovic T, Lenoir G et al (2006) Usefulness of hand-held ultrasound devices in out-of-hospital diagnosis performed by emergency physicians. Am J Emerg Med 24:237–242PubMedCrossRef
9.
go back to reference Heegaard W, Plummer D, Dries D et al (2004) Ultrasound for the air medical clinician. Air Med J 23(2):20–23PubMedCrossRef Heegaard W, Plummer D, Dries D et al (2004) Ultrasound for the air medical clinician. Air Med J 23(2):20–23PubMedCrossRef
10.
go back to reference Walcher F, Weinlich M, Conrad G et al (2006) Prehospital ultrasound imaging improves management of abdominal trauma. Br J Surg 93(2):238–242PubMedCrossRef Walcher F, Weinlich M, Conrad G et al (2006) Prehospital ultrasound imaging improves management of abdominal trauma. Br J Surg 93(2):238–242PubMedCrossRef
11.
go back to reference Price DD, Wilson SR, Murphy TG (2000) Trauma ultrasound feasibility during helicopter transport. Air Med J 19(4):144–146PubMedCrossRef Price DD, Wilson SR, Murphy TG (2000) Trauma ultrasound feasibility during helicopter transport. Air Med J 19(4):144–146PubMedCrossRef
12.
go back to reference Melanson SW, McCarthy J, Stromski CJ et al (2001) Aeromedical trauma sonography by flight crews with a miniature ultrasound unit. Prehosp Emerg Care 5(4):399–402PubMedCrossRef Melanson SW, McCarthy J, Stromski CJ et al (2001) Aeromedical trauma sonography by flight crews with a miniature ultrasound unit. Prehosp Emerg Care 5(4):399–402PubMedCrossRef
14.
go back to reference Stamilio DM, McReynolds T, Endrizzi J et al (2004) Diagnosis and treatment of a ruptured ectopic pregnancy in a combat support hospital during Operation Iraqi Freedom: case report and critique of a field-ready sonographic device. Mil Med 169(9):681–683PubMedCrossRef Stamilio DM, McReynolds T, Endrizzi J et al (2004) Diagnosis and treatment of a ruptured ectopic pregnancy in a combat support hospital during Operation Iraqi Freedom: case report and critique of a field-ready sonographic device. Mil Med 169(9):681–683PubMedCrossRef
15.
go back to reference Walcher F, Patrovic T, Neri L, Heegaard W et al (2008) Prehospital ultrasound. In: Ma OJ, Mateer JR, Blaivas M (eds) Emergency ultrasound. McGraw-Hill, New York Walcher F, Patrovic T, Neri L, Heegaard W et al (2008) Prehospital ultrasound. In: Ma OJ, Mateer JR, Blaivas M (eds) Emergency ultrasound. McGraw-Hill, New York
16.
go back to reference Lichtenstein D, Courret JP (1998) Feasibility of ultrasound in the helicopter. Intensive Care Med 24(10):1119PubMedCrossRef Lichtenstein D, Courret JP (1998) Feasibility of ultrasound in the helicopter. Intensive Care Med 24(10):1119PubMedCrossRef
17.
go back to reference Polk JD, Fallon WF Jr (2000) The use of focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) by a prehospital air medical team in the trauma arrest patient. Prehosp Emerg Care 4(1):82–84PubMedCrossRef Polk JD, Fallon WF Jr (2000) The use of focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) by a prehospital air medical team in the trauma arrest patient. Prehosp Emerg Care 4(1):82–84PubMedCrossRef
18.
go back to reference Lapostolle F, Petrovic T, Catineau J et al (2005) Training emergency physicians to perform out-of-hospital ultrasonography. Am J Emerg Med 23(4):572PubMedCrossRef Lapostolle F, Petrovic T, Catineau J et al (2005) Training emergency physicians to perform out-of-hospital ultrasonography. Am J Emerg Med 23(4):572PubMedCrossRef
19.
go back to reference Busch M (2006) Portable ultrasound in pre-hospital emergencies: a feasibility study. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand 50:754–758PubMedCrossRef Busch M (2006) Portable ultrasound in pre-hospital emergencies: a feasibility study. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand 50:754–758PubMedCrossRef
20.
go back to reference Heegaard W, Nelson BP, Hildebrandt D, Ho J, Spear D (2008) Paramedic prehospital ultrasound training evaluation. Acad Emerg Med 15(5):s46 Heegaard W, Nelson BP, Hildebrandt D, Ho J, Spear D (2008) Paramedic prehospital ultrasound training evaluation. Acad Emerg Med 15(5):s46
21.
go back to reference Ma OJ, Mateer JR, Ogata M et al (1995) Prospective analysis of a rapid trauma ultrasound examination performed by emergency physicians. J Trauma 38:879–885PubMedCrossRef Ma OJ, Mateer JR, Ogata M et al (1995) Prospective analysis of a rapid trauma ultrasound examination performed by emergency physicians. J Trauma 38:879–885PubMedCrossRef
22.
go back to reference Tayal VS, Beatty MA, Marx JA et al (2004) FAST (focused assessment with sonography in trauma) accurate for cardiac and intraperitoneal injury in penetrating chest trauma. J Ultrasound Med 23:467–472PubMed Tayal VS, Beatty MA, Marx JA et al (2004) FAST (focused assessment with sonography in trauma) accurate for cardiac and intraperitoneal injury in penetrating chest trauma. J Ultrasound Med 23:467–472PubMed
23.
go back to reference Melniker LA, Leibner E, McKenney MG et al (2006) Randomized controlled clinical trial of point-of-care, limited ultrasonography for trauma in the emergency department: the first sonography outcomes assessment program trial. Ann Emerg Med 48:227–235PubMedCrossRef Melniker LA, Leibner E, McKenney MG et al (2006) Randomized controlled clinical trial of point-of-care, limited ultrasonography for trauma in the emergency department: the first sonography outcomes assessment program trial. Ann Emerg Med 48:227–235PubMedCrossRef
24.
go back to reference Blood CG, Puyana JC, Pitlyk PJ et al (2002) An assessment of the potential for reducing future combat deaths through medical technologies and training. J Trauma 53(6):1160–1165PubMedCrossRef Blood CG, Puyana JC, Pitlyk PJ et al (2002) An assessment of the potential for reducing future combat deaths through medical technologies and training. J Trauma 53(6):1160–1165PubMedCrossRef
25.
go back to reference Polk JD, Fallon WF, Kovach B (2001) The “Airmedical F.A.S.T.” for trauma patients—the initial report of a novel application for sonography. Aviat Space Environ Med 72(5):432–436PubMed Polk JD, Fallon WF, Kovach B (2001) The “Airmedical F.A.S.T.” for trauma patients—the initial report of a novel application for sonography. Aviat Space Environ Med 72(5):432–436PubMed
26.
go back to reference Mazur SM, Pearce A, Alfred S et al (2008) The F.A.S.T.E.R. trial. Focused assessment by sonography in trauma during emergency retrieval: a feasibility study. Injury 39:512–518PubMedCrossRef Mazur SM, Pearce A, Alfred S et al (2008) The F.A.S.T.E.R. trial. Focused assessment by sonography in trauma during emergency retrieval: a feasibility study. Injury 39:512–518PubMedCrossRef
27.
go back to reference Breitkreutz R, Walcher F, Seeger FH (2007) Focused echocardiographic evaluation in resuscitation management: concept of an advanced life support-conformed algorithm. Crit Care Med 35(5 Suppl):S150–S161PubMedCrossRef Breitkreutz R, Walcher F, Seeger FH (2007) Focused echocardiographic evaluation in resuscitation management: concept of an advanced life support-conformed algorithm. Crit Care Med 35(5 Suppl):S150–S161PubMedCrossRef
28.
go back to reference Blaivas M, Fox JC (2001) Outcome in cardiac arrest patients found to have cardiac standstill on the bedside emergency department echocardiogram. Acad Emerg Med 8(6):616–621PubMedCrossRef Blaivas M, Fox JC (2001) Outcome in cardiac arrest patients found to have cardiac standstill on the bedside emergency department echocardiogram. Acad Emerg Med 8(6):616–621PubMedCrossRef
29.
go back to reference Salen P, Melniker L, Chooljian C et al (2005) Does the presence or absence of sonographically identified cardiac activity predict resuscitation outcomes of cardiac arrest patients? Am J Emerg Med 23(4):459–462PubMedCrossRef Salen P, Melniker L, Chooljian C et al (2005) Does the presence or absence of sonographically identified cardiac activity predict resuscitation outcomes of cardiac arrest patients? Am J Emerg Med 23(4):459–462PubMedCrossRef
30.
go back to reference Byhahn C, Bingold TB, Zwissler B et al (2008) Prehospital ultrasound detects pericardial tamponade in a pregnant victim of stabbing assault. Resuscitation 76:146–148PubMedCrossRef Byhahn C, Bingold TB, Zwissler B et al (2008) Prehospital ultrasound detects pericardial tamponade in a pregnant victim of stabbing assault. Resuscitation 76:146–148PubMedCrossRef
31.
go back to reference Polk JD, Merlino JI, Kovach BL et al (2004) Fetal evaluation for transport by ultrasound performed by air medical teams: a case series. Air Med J 23(4):32–34PubMedCrossRef Polk JD, Merlino JI, Kovach BL et al (2004) Fetal evaluation for transport by ultrasound performed by air medical teams: a case series. Air Med J 23(4):32–34PubMedCrossRef
32.
go back to reference Sarkisian AE, Khondkarian RA, Amirbekian NM et al (1991) Sonographic screening of mass casualties for abdominal and renal injuries following the 1988 Armenian earthquake. J Trauma 31:247–250PubMedCrossRef Sarkisian AE, Khondkarian RA, Amirbekian NM et al (1991) Sonographic screening of mass casualties for abdominal and renal injuries following the 1988 Armenian earthquake. J Trauma 31:247–250PubMedCrossRef
33.
go back to reference Keven K, Ates K, Yağmurlu B et al (2001) Renal Doppler ultrasonographic findings in earthquake victims with crush injury. J Ultrasound Med 20:675–679PubMed Keven K, Ates K, Yağmurlu B et al (2001) Renal Doppler ultrasonographic findings in earthquake victims with crush injury. J Ultrasound Med 20:675–679PubMed
34.
go back to reference Dean AJ, Ku BS, Zeserson EM (2007) The utility of handheld ultrasound in an austere medical setting in Guatemala after a natural disaster. Am J Disaster Med 2(5):249–256PubMed Dean AJ, Ku BS, Zeserson EM (2007) The utility of handheld ultrasound in an austere medical setting in Guatemala after a natural disaster. Am J Disaster Med 2(5):249–256PubMed
35.
go back to reference Beck-Razi N, Fischer D, Michaelson M et al (2007) The utility of focused assessment with sonography for trauma as a triage tool in multiple-casualty incidents during the second Lebanon war. J Ultrasound Med 26:1149–1156PubMed Beck-Razi N, Fischer D, Michaelson M et al (2007) The utility of focused assessment with sonography for trauma as a triage tool in multiple-casualty incidents during the second Lebanon war. J Ultrasound Med 26:1149–1156PubMed
36.
go back to reference Sztanjnkrycer MD, Baez AA, Luke A (2006) FAST ultrasound as an adjunct to triage using the START mass casualty triage system: a preliminary descriptive system. Prehosp Emerg Care 10:96–102CrossRef Sztanjnkrycer MD, Baez AA, Luke A (2006) FAST ultrasound as an adjunct to triage using the START mass casualty triage system: a preliminary descriptive system. Prehosp Emerg Care 10:96–102CrossRef
37.
go back to reference Grim P, Feldman T, Martin M et al (1987) Cellular telephone transmission of 12-lead electrocardiograms from ambulance to hospital. Am J Cardiol 60:715–720PubMedCrossRef Grim P, Feldman T, Martin M et al (1987) Cellular telephone transmission of 12-lead electrocardiograms from ambulance to hospital. Am J Cardiol 60:715–720PubMedCrossRef
38.
go back to reference Urban MJ, Edmondson DA, Aufderheide TP (2002) Prehospital 12-lead ECG diagnostic programs. Emerg Med Clin North Am 20:825–841PubMedCrossRef Urban MJ, Edmondson DA, Aufderheide TP (2002) Prehospital 12-lead ECG diagnostic programs. Emerg Med Clin North Am 20:825–841PubMedCrossRef
39.
go back to reference Trippi JA, Lee KS, Kopp G et al (1996) Emergency echocardiography telemedicine: an efficient method to provide 24-hour consultative echocardiography. J Am Coll Cardiol 27:1748–1752PubMedCrossRef Trippi JA, Lee KS, Kopp G et al (1996) Emergency echocardiography telemedicine: an efficient method to provide 24-hour consultative echocardiography. J Am Coll Cardiol 27:1748–1752PubMedCrossRef
40.
go back to reference Strode CA, Rubal BJ, Gerhardt RT et al (2003) Satellite and mobile wireless transmission of focused assessment with sonography in trauma. Acad Emerg Med 10:1411–1414PubMedCrossRef Strode CA, Rubal BJ, Gerhardt RT et al (2003) Satellite and mobile wireless transmission of focused assessment with sonography in trauma. Acad Emerg Med 10:1411–1414PubMedCrossRef
41.
go back to reference Garrett PD, Boyd SY, Bauch TD et al (2003) Feasibility of real-time echocardiographic evaluation during patient transport. J Am Soc Echocardiogr 16(3):197–201PubMedCrossRef Garrett PD, Boyd SY, Bauch TD et al (2003) Feasibility of real-time echocardiographic evaluation during patient transport. J Am Soc Echocardiogr 16(3):197–201PubMedCrossRef
42.
go back to reference Huffer LL, Bauch TD, Furgerson JL et al (2004) Feasibility of remote echocardiography with satellite transmission and real-time interpretation to support medical activities in the austere medical environment. J Am Soc Echocardiogr 17:670–674PubMedCrossRef Huffer LL, Bauch TD, Furgerson JL et al (2004) Feasibility of remote echocardiography with satellite transmission and real-time interpretation to support medical activities in the austere medical environment. J Am Soc Echocardiogr 17:670–674PubMedCrossRef
Metadata
Title
Use of ultrasound by emergency medical services: a review
Authors
Bret P. Nelson
Kevin Chason
Publication date
01-12-2008
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
International Journal of Emergency Medicine / Issue 4/2008
Print ISSN: 1865-1372
Electronic ISSN: 1865-1380
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12245-008-0075-6

Other articles of this Issue 4/2008

International Journal of Emergency Medicine 4/2008 Go to the issue