scholarly journals Point-of-Care Ultrasound Identifies Decompensated Heart Failure in a Young Male with Methamphetamine-Associated Cardiomyopathy Presenting in Severe Sepsis to the Emergency Department

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
David Kinas ◽  
Michael Dalley ◽  
Kayla Guidry ◽  
Mark A. Newberry ◽  
David A. Farcy

We describe a case of a young male who presents to the emergency department with severe sepsis and decompensated heart failure with underlying Methamphetamine-Associated Cardiomyopathy that was previously undiagnosed. This presentation is unique because Methamphetamine-Associated Cardiomyopathy is an uncommonly reported condition that presented in a complex clinical scenario of severe sepsis and decompensated congestive heart failure. We discuss how we used point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in this case to identify an unsuspected disease process and how it changed our initial resuscitation strategy and management. Emergency physicians can utilize point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) to help identify these high-risk patients in the emergency department and guide appropriate resuscitation. Methamphetamine-Associated Cardiomyopathy (MAC) is an infrequently described complication of methamphetamine abuse, most commonly presented as a nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy. With the rise in methamphetamine abuse in the United States, complications from methamphetamine use are more commonly presenting to the emergency department. Proper education and rehabilitation, with a goal of abstinence from amphetamine use, may allow patients to potentially regain normal cardiac function. Since the majority of patients present late with severe cardiac dysfunction, early detection is essential amongst critically ill patients since recognition may significantly influence ED management.

CJEM ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (S1) ◽  
pp. S55-S55
Author(s):  
K. McGivery ◽  
P.R. Atkinson ◽  
D. Lewis ◽  
L. Taylor ◽  
K. Gadd

Introduction: Dyspnea is a common presenting problem in the emergency department (ED) that frequently creates a diagnostic challenge for physicians. Acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) represents a common cause that requires prompt diagnosis and management. Recent studies on dyspneic patients have suggested a potential role for point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS). The objective of this systematic review was to assess the sensitivity and specificity of early bedside lung ultrasound in patients presenting to the ED with dyspnea. Methods: A search of the literature was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, bibliographies of previous systematic reviews, and abstracts from major emergency medicine conferences. We included prospective studies that assessed the diagnostic accuracy of B-lines from bedside lung ultrasound in the ED patients compared to a clinical diagnosis of ADHF at hospital discharge. The final diagnosis included at least one of CXR, computed tomography, or BNP. Two reviewers independently screened all titles and abstracts for possible inclusions. Two separate content experts full text-reviewed selected studies and performed quality analysis using a modified Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) questionnaire. Extracted data was assessed with summary receiver operator characteristics curve (SROC) analysis with pooled sensitivity and specificity. Heterogenity was tested. Results: The electronic search yielded 3674 articles of which six met the inclusion criteria and fulfilled CASP requirements for methodological quality. The total number of patients in these studies was 1911. Heterogeneity was noted; due to poorer performance by novice users. Meta-analysis of the data showed that in detecting ADHF, bedside lung ultrasound had a pooled sensitivity of 89.6% (95% CI 69.5 to 97.0%) and a pooled specificity of 88.4% (95% CI 75.0 to 95.1%). The positive likelihood ratio was 6.01 (95% CI 2.93 to 12.32) and negative likelihood ratio was 0.13 (95% CI 0.06 to 0.30). Conclusion: This study suggests that in patients presenting to the ED with undifferentiated dyspnea, early point of care lung ultrasound may be used to confirm the diagnosis of ADHF, which may facilitate earlier appropriate management. Test performance may vary according to experience.


Author(s):  
Robert Farrow ◽  
Graham Becherer-Bailey ◽  
Daniel Mantuani ◽  
Arun Nagdev

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the virus known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Several case series from Italy and China have highlighted the lung ultrasound findings of this disease process and may demonstrate its clinical utility during the current pandemic. Case Report: We present a case of a COVID-19 patient who presented to the emergency department twice within a 24-hour period with rapidly progressing illness. A multi-organ point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) evaluation was used on the return visit and assisted clinical decision-making. Discussion: A multi-organ POCUS exam allows for quick assessment of acute dyspnea in the emergency department. As the lung involvement of COVID-19 is primarily a peripheral process it is readily identifiable via lung ultrasound. We believe that when applied efficiently and safely a POCUS exam can reduce clinical uncertainty and potentially limit the use of other imaging modalities when treating patients with COVID-19. Conclusion: This case highlights the utility of an early multiorgan point-of-care assessment for patients presenting with moderate respiratory distress during the severe SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.


2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirela Liana Gliga ◽  
Mihail Gheorghe Gliga ◽  
Cristian Chirila ◽  
Raluca-Maria Lie-Ungurean ◽  
Paula Chirila

Abstract Background and Aims Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) is performed at the bedsite of the patient by de treating clinician. In nephrology a particular situation is related to severly ill patients, immobilized with elevated creatinine, which can not be deffered to imaging investigations such as CT scan or MRI. Using a small portable device, important clinical problems can be solved in no time. Method We examined 360 out of 670 patients admitted to the nephrology departament in a period of one year. They were severely ill due to following pathologies: 35 severe sepsis with hypotension, 53 decompensated heart failure, 24 stroke, 248 with renal failure and acido-basic or electrolitic disturbances. Evaluation was made using a portable US device with a 10 MHz linear probe and 3.5 MHz convexe probe with abdomen and thoracic software. Diameter of inferior vena cava (IVC), respiratory collapse of IVC, effusions in pleura, pericardium or peritoneum, liver dimensions, kidneys and spleen were described. Results 31 out of 35 patients with hypotension had collapsed IVC, diameter less than 1cm, PPV 88.5%; 48 from 53 heart failure had enlarged IVC with reduced respiratory collapse, PPV 90.6% and 201 from 248 renal failure patients had kidney changes, 81.04%. As compared with standard diagnostic tools (echocardiography, native CT scan and clinical examination, Sensitivity was over 98% in all cases. Conclusion POCUS is a very usefull test for the rapid bed-site examination of kidney patients, were a rapid decision has to be made using a portable device. Sensitivity of the method proved to be comparable as with standard diagnostic tools.


2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 385-388 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenton L. Anderson ◽  
Katherine Y. Jenq ◽  
J. Matthew Fields ◽  
Nova L. Panebianco ◽  
Anthony J. Dean

2021 ◽  
pp. 201010582110112
Author(s):  
Kelvin Shenq Woei Siew ◽  
Kim Fong Ng ◽  
Norliza Othman ◽  
Chuey Yan Lee

Primary cardiac tumor remains exceedingly rare, accounting for 0.5 cases per million of the population annually. We report a case of cardiac tumor, which was initially misdiagnosed as heart failure secondary to acute coronary syndrome. The diagnosis was revised later after routine echocardiography in the ward. A 39-year-old gentleman who presented to the emergency department with cardiac failure and ischemic changes on the electrocardiogram was initially worked-up for acute coronary syndrome. However, echocardiography was performed later in the ward to evaluate the cardiac ejection fraction, revealing a massive left atrial mass measuring 6 cm × 4 cm. Severe mitral regurgitation was noted through the echocardiogram owing to the mass prolapse into the mitral annulus. The initial presentation of cardiac tumors can be ambiguous. Studies have shown that echocardiography as the noninvasive cardiac imaging approach remains the gold standard of diagnostic tool. Hence, echocardiography should be performed as a routine assessment of cardiac failure. Meanwhile, the incorporation of point of care ultrasound in the available center may assist the physician to diagnose accurately in the emergency department setting by excluding other potential differential diagnoses. Delay in diagnosis and initiation of treatment may result in progression to chronic heart failure and dangerous complication, i.e. hemodynamic sequelae and systemic embolism of the clot. In our experience, we managed to reach an accurate diagnosis, timely referral and appropriate intervention despite the lack of point of care ultrasound.


POCUS Journal ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-14
Author(s):  
Hadiel Kaiyasah, MD, MRCS (Glasgow), ABHS-GS ◽  
Maryam Al Ali, MBBS

Soft tissue ultrasound (ST-USS) has been shown to be of utmost importance in assessing patients with soft tissue infections in the emergency department or critical care unit. It aids in guiding the management of soft tissue infection based on the sonographic findings.


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