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Critical Care

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Open Access 01-06-2012 | Research

Evaluation of a new pocket echoscopic device for focused cardiac ultrasonography in an emergency setting

Authors: Matthieu Biais, Cédric Carrié, François Delaunay, Nicolas Morel, Philippe Revel, Gérard Janvier

Published in: Critical Care | Issue 3/2012

Abstract

Introduction

In the emergency setting, focused cardiac ultrasound has become a fundamental tool for diagnostic, initial emergency treatment and triage decisions. A new ultra-miniaturized pocket ultrasound device (PUD) may be suited to this specific setting. Therefore, we aimed to compare the diagnostic ability of an ultra-miniaturized ultrasound device (Vscan™, GE Healthcare, Wauwatosa, WI) and of a conventional high-quality echocardiography system (Vivid S5™, GE Healthcare) for a cardiac focused ultrasonography in patients admitted to the emergency department.

Methods

During 4 months, patients admitted to our emergency department and requiring transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) were included in this single-center, prospective and observational study. Patients underwent TTE using a PUD and a conventional echocardiography system. Each examination was performed independently by a physician experienced in echocardiography, unaware of the results found by the alternative device. During the focused cardiac echocardiography, the following parameters were assessed: global cardiac systolic function, identification of ventricular enlargement or hypertrophy, assessment for pericardial effusion and estimation of the size and the respiratory changes of the inferior vena cava (IVC) diameter.

Results

One hundred fifty-one (151) patients were analyzed. With the tested PUD, the image quality was sufficient to perform focused cardiac ultrasonography in all patients. Examination using PUD adequately qualified with a very good agreement global left ventricular systolic dysfunction (κ = 0.87; 95%CI: 0.76-0.97), severe right ventricular dilation (κ = 0.87; 95%CI: 0.71-1.00), inferior vena cava dilation (κ = 0.90; 95%CI: 0.80-1.00), respiratory-induced variations in inferior vena cava size in spontaneous breathing (κ = 0.84; 95%CI: 0.71-0.98), pericardial effusion (κ = 0.75; 95%CI: 0.55-0.95) and compressive pericardial effusion (κ = 1.00; 95%CI: 1.00-1.00).

Conclusions

In an emergency setting, this new ultraportable echoscope (PUD) was reliable for the real-time detection of focused cardiac abnormalities.

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Title: Evaluation of a new pocket echoscopic device for focused cardiac ultrasonography in an emergency setting
Authors: Matthieu Biais
Cédric Carrié
François Delaunay
Nicolas Morel
Philippe Revel
Gérard Janvier
Publication date: 01-06-2012
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Critical Care / Issue 3/2012
Electronic ISSN: 1364-8535
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/cc11340

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Evaluation of a new pocket echoscopic device for focused cardiac ultrasonography in an emergency setting

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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