scholarly journals The Role of Point-of-Care Ultrasound: Potential Game Changer for the Future of Massive Pulmonary Embolism

Author(s):  
A.M. Aung ◽  
B. Kywe ◽  
S.L. Tin ◽  
K.M. Wong Lama
2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Abdullah E. Laher ◽  
Muhammed Moolla ◽  
Feroza Motara ◽  
Fathima Paruk ◽  
Guy Richards

Introduction. It is estimated that the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) is missed in as many as 84% of all cases of PE. Cardiac arrest following PE is generally associated with poor outcomes. Case Report. A 43-year-old man presented to the Emergency Department (ED) in cardiac arrest. Swelling of his right lower limb was noted on arrival. Point of care ultrasound was performed during ongoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and showed a thrombus in the right iliofemoral vein as well as dilatation of the right ventricle. Fibrinolytic therapy was initiated immediately and a return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) was achieved 30 minutes later. The diagnosis of PE was finally confirmed on computed tomography pulmonary angiography once haemodynamic stability was achieved. The patient was thereafter transferred to the intensive care unit for postresuscitation care and further management. Several days later, he was discharged home neurologically intact and fully recovered. Discussion. Since outcomes after cardiac arrest following PE are generally dismal, available and potentially life-saving interventions to restore pulmonary circulation should be rapidly implemented when PE is the likely cause of cardiac arrest.


2019 ◽  
Vol 123 (4) ◽  
pp. 706-707
Author(s):  
Lara C. Kovell ◽  
Mays T. Ali ◽  
Allison G. Hays ◽  
Thorr S. Metkus ◽  
Jose A. Madrazo ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Mustafa J. Musa ◽  
Mohamed Yousef ◽  
Mohammed Adam ◽  
Awadalla Wagealla ◽  
Lubna Boshara ◽  
...  

: Lung ultrasound [LUS] has evolved considerably over the last years. The aim of the current review is to conduct a systematic review reported from a number of studies to show the usefulness of [LUS] and point of care ultrasound for diagnosing COVID-19. A systematic search of electronic data was conducted including the national library of medicine, and the national institute of medicine, PubMed Central [PMC] to identify the articles depended on [LUS] to monitor COVID-19. This review highlights the ultrasound findings reported in articles before the pandemic [11], clinical articles before COVID-19 [14], review studies during the pandemic [27], clinical cases during the pandemic [5] and other varying aims articles. The reviewed studies revealed that ultrasound findings can be used to help in the detection and staging of the disease. The common patterns observed included irregular and thickened A-lines, multiple B-lines ranging from focal to diffuse interstitial consolidation, and pleural effusion. Sub-plural consolidation is found to be associated with the progression of the disease and its complications. Pneumothorax was not recorded for COVID-19 patients. Further improvement in the diagnostic performance of [LUS] for COVID-19 patients can be achieved by using elastography, contrast-enhanced ultrasound, and power Doppler imaging.


Circulation ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 140 (Suppl_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ada Wong ◽  
Hassan Patail ◽  
Sahar Ahmad

Introduction: Survival after in hospital (IH) cardiac arrest (CA) is at 17% suggesting that CA represents an arena of medical practice which deserves more attention. Ultrasound (US) may have a role in both intra-arrest management and peri-arrest prognosis. Very little is known about the role of ultrasound for IH CA. Hypothesis: Intra- arrest POCUS can provide prognostic value. Methods: This was a single center, prospective observational study and we included all IH CA which occurred when a provider was available to perform a standardized POCUS protocol. US and echocardiography imaging was collected during the intra- arrest period and compared with outcome measures of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and survival to 24 hours post-ROSC. Results: Echocardiographic features which may reflect survivorship include cardiac standstill, right ventricle (RV) blood flow stasis, and the appearance of thrombus formation at or around the tricuspid valve. 10 of 16 (62.50%) patients with cardiac standstill alone and 1 of 3 (33.33%) RV stasis alone did not achieve ROSC. Of those that did achieve ROSC in these two groups, none of the patients survived beyond 24 hours of the CA. 11 of 19 (57.89%) patients with RV stasis in combination with cardiac standstill did not achieve ROSC, and of the remaining 8 patients that achieved ROSC, only 1 patient survived past 24 hours. The combination of cardiac standstill, RV stasis, and tricuspid valve thrombus had 2 of 3 (66.67%) patients fail to achieve ROSC, with the remaining 1 patient surviving only to 24 hours. The presence of cardiac standstill alone confers an association with death, with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.212. RV stasis plus cardiac standstill on intra-arrest POCUS confer a markedly higher OR 0.8250 in association with death. Conclusions: Our preliminary work brings to light the role of POCUS for predicting short term survivorship based on echocardiographic patient features. This may have implications for resource utilization in such events.


Ultrasound ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 196-201
Author(s):  
Natasha M Amorosi ◽  
Alison White

Ventricular septal rupture is a rare and potentially fatal complication of transmural myocardial infarction. Early identification utilising transthoracic echocardiography significantly improves long term outcomes in these patients. We report on a case of a 77-year-old male who presented with signs and symptoms of cardiac failure and a loud systolic murmur. The patient underwent an initial point-of-care ultrasound which revealed evidence of a transmural myocardial infarction and a high suspicion of an apical ventricular septal rupture. A complete transthoracic echocardiogram confirmed the septal rupture diagnosis and the patient subsequently underwent surgical repair of the ventricular rupture. This case highlights the role of echocardiography in decreasing adverse outcomes in patients with ventricular septal rupture.


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