M B Jensen1, E Sloth, K M Larsen, M B Schmidt. 1. Aarhus University Hospital, Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Skejby Sygehus, Denmark.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of an abbreviated focus assessed transthoracic echocardiographic protocol, consisting of four standardized acoustic views for cardiopulmonary screening and monitoring. METHODS: The protocol was applied in 210 patients in a 20-bed multidisciplinary intensive care unit in a university hospital. When inconclusive, an additional transoesophageal echocardiographic examination was performed. Diagnosis, indication, acoustic window, position and value were recorded. Significant pathology, load, dimensions and contractility were assessed. RESULTS: Two-hundred-and-thirty-three transthoracic and four transoesophageal echoes were performed. The protocol provided usable images of the heart in 97% of the patients, 58% subcostal, 80% apical and 69% parasternal. Images through one window were obtainable in 23%, through two windows in 41% and through three windows in 34%. In 227 patients (97.4%) the focus assessed echo protocol contributed positively. In 24.5% of cases the information was decisive, in 37.3% supplemental and in 35.6% supportive. CONCLUSIONS: By means of an abbreviated, focus assessed transthoracic echo protocol it is feasible to visualize the haemodynamic determinants for assessment and optimization. One or more useful images are obtainable in 97% of critically ill patients.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of an abbreviated focus assessed transthoracic echocardiographic protocol, consisting of four standardized acoustic views for cardiopulmonary screening and monitoring. METHODS: The protocol was applied in 210 patients in a 20-bed multidisciplinary intensive care unit in a university hospital. When inconclusive, an additional transoesophageal echocardiographic examination was performed. Diagnosis, indication, acoustic window, position and value were recorded. Significant pathology, load, dimensions and contractility were assessed. RESULTS: Two-hundred-and-thirty-three transthoracic and four transoesophageal echoes were performed. The protocol provided usable images of the heart in 97% of the patients, 58% subcostal, 80% apical and 69% parasternal. Images through one window were obtainable in 23%, through two windows in 41% and through three windows in 34%. In 227 patients (97.4%) the focus assessed echo protocol contributed positively. In 24.5% of cases the information was decisive, in 37.3% supplemental and in 35.6% supportive. CONCLUSIONS: By means of an abbreviated, focus assessed transthoracic echo protocol it is feasible to visualize the haemodynamic determinants for assessment and optimization. One or more useful images are obtainable in 97% of critically ill patients.
Authors: S Treskatsch; F Balzer; F Knebel; M Habicher; J P Braun; M Kastrup; H Grubitzsch; K-D Wernecke; C Spies; M Sander Journal: Int J Cardiovasc Imaging Date: 2015-06-06 Impact factor: 2.357
Authors: J Heiberg; L S Hansen; K Wemmelund; A H Sørensen; C Ilkjaer; E Cloete; D Nolte; F Roodt; R Dyer; J Swanevelder; E Sloth Journal: Ultrasound Int Open Date: 2015-11-06