Internal jugular access using pocket ultrasound in a simulated model: comparison between biplane and monoplane visualization techniques
ConclusionsThis study suggests that biplane visualization with the use of pocket ultrasound for internal jugular cannulation in simulated models did not demonstrate significant differences when compared with in-plane and out-of-plane visualization techniques. Further research with larger sample sizes may be needed to confirm these results. (Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal)
Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal - October 10, 2023 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
Abscess pulsatility: a sonographic sign of osteomyelitis
ConclusionsThe sonographic finding of pulsatility in an abscess near bone should raise the concern for communication with the medullary cavity. (Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal)
Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal - October 3, 2023 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
The diagnostic accuracy of lung ultrasound to determine PiCCO-derived extravascular lung water in invasively ventilated patients with COVID-19 ARDS
ConclusionsOverall, LUS demonstrated an acceptable diagnostic accuracy for detection of pulmonary edema in moderate –to–severe COVID-19 ARDS when compared with PICCO. For identifying patients at risk of severe pulmonary edema, an extended score considering pleural morphology may be of added value.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT04794088, registered on 11 March 2021. European Clinical Trials Database number 2020 –005447-23. (Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal)
Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal - October 2, 2023 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
Development of a novel observed structured clinical exam to assess clinical ultrasound proficiency in undergraduate medical education
ConclusionsStudents performed better in later sessions. Additionally, the number of questions left blank at the end of the exam suggests that the length of the OSCE should be evaluated. Incorporating critical diagnoses was challenging for examinees. The proposed OSCE is a valuable assessment tool that could be adapted to assess student ’s readiness to use clinical ultrasound prior to clerkships. (Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal)
Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal - September 25, 2023 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
Echocardiographic parameters in COVID-19 patients and their association with ICU mortality: a prospective multicenter observational study
ConclusionEchocardiographic evaluation in COVID-19 patients showed severe LV systolic dysfunction was associated with ICU mortality. E/e ′ was not found to be significant but lower e′ was associated with higher mortality.Trial registration IEC 131/2020, CTRI/2020/06/025858 date 13th June 2020 (Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal)
Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal - September 13, 2023 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
The correlation between epicardial fat thickness and longitudinal left atrial reservoir strain in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and controls
ConclusionsLARS is considered as an important early marker of subclinical cardiac dysfunction. Thickened epicardial fat may be an independent risk factor for decreased LA reservoir strain. Diabetics are especially considered as a high risk group due to having an increased epicardial adipose tissue thickness. (Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal)
Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal - September 12, 2023 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
The association of attentional foci and image interpretation accuracy in novices interpreting lung ultrasound images: an eye-tracking study
This study seeks to determine the relationship between attentional foci metrics with lung ultrasound (LUS) interpretation accuracy in novice medical learners. A convenience sample of 14 medical residents with minimal LUS training viewed 8 LUS cineloops, with their eye-tracking patterns recorded. Areas of interest (AOI) for each cineloop were mapped independently by two experts, and externally validated by a third expert. Primary outcome of interest was image interpretation accuracy, presented as a percentage. Eye tracking captured 10 of 14 participants (71%) who completed the study. Participants spent a mean total of 8 m...
Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal - September 11, 2023 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)-guided transvenous pacing (TVP) in emergency department
AbstractBackgroundPlacement of a temporary pacemaker is a vital skill in the emergency setting in patients that present with life-threatening bradycardia. Transvenous pacing is the definitive method of stabilizing the arrhythmia compared to transcutaneous pacing, as it provides more comfort and better control of heart rate, until the insertion of a permanent pacemaker.Case reportIn this case report, we describe the steps using TEE to guide the insertion of transvenous pacer at the emergency department. Traditionally, the process of floating a transvenous pacer wire is performed “blindly” using landmarks and a monitorin...
Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal - August 21, 2023 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
Feasibility of chest ultrasound up to 42 m underwater
AbstractAfter recent advancements, ultrasound has extended its applications from bedside clinical practice to wilderness medicine. Performing ultrasound scans in extreme environments can allow direct visualization of unique pathophysiological adaptations but can be technically challenging. This paper summarizes how a portable ultrasound apparatus was marinized to let scientific divers and sonographers perform ultrasound scans of the lungs underwater up to − 42 m. A metallic case protected the ultrasound apparatus inside; a frontal transparent panel with a glove allowed visualization and operation of the ultrasound by ...
Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal - August 21, 2023 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
Evaluation of commercially available point-of-care ultrasound for automated optic nerve sheath measurement
ConclusionsUltrasound of the optic nerve sheath has the potential to be a convenient, non-invasive, point-of-injury or triage measure for elevated intracranial pressure in cases of traumatic brain injury. When transducer width is sufficient, briefly trained operators may obtain video sequences of the optic nerve sheath without guidance. This data suggest that unskilled operators are able to achieve the images needed for AI interpretation. However, we also show that image quality differences between ultrasound probes may influence manual ONSD measurements. (Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal)
Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal - August 2, 2023 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
Simultaneous venous –arterial Doppler during preload augmentation: illustrating the Doppler Starling curve
AbstractProviding intravenous (IV) fluids to a patient with signs or symptoms of hypoperfusion is common. However, evaluating the IV fluid ‘dose–response’ curve of the heart is elusive. Two patients were studied in the emergency department with a wireless, wearable Doppler ultrasound system. Change in the common carotid arterial and internal jugular Doppler spectrograms were simultaneously obtained as surrogates of left ventricul ar stroke volume (SV) and central venous pressure (CVP), respectively. Both patients initially had low CVP jugular venous Doppler spectrograms. With preload augmentation, only one patient ha...
Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal - July 28, 2023 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
Learning curves for point-of-care ultrasound image acquisition for novice learners in a longitudinal curriculum
ConclusionBladder POCUS skills can be rapidly acquired and have the shortest learning curve. Abdominal aorta, kidney, and lung POCUS have similar learning curves, while cardiac POCUS has the longest learning curve. Analysis of learning curves for depth, axis, and gain demonstrates that axis has the longest learner curve of the three components of image quality. This finding has previously not been reported and provides a more nuanced understanding of psychomotor skill learning for novices. Learners might benefit from educators paying particular attention to optimizing the unique tomographic axis for each organ system. (Sou...
Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal - July 5, 2023 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
Point-of-Care-ultrasound in undergraduate medical education: a scoping review of assessment methods
ConclusionsOur findings demonstrate a lack of clinical assessment in UME POCUS that focus on integration of skills in daily clinical practice of medical students corresponding to the highest level of Miller ’s Pyramid. There exists opportunities to develop and integrate assessment that evaluate higher level competencies of POCUS skills of medical students. A mixture of assessment methods that correspond to multiple levels of Miller’s pyramid should be used to best assess POCUS competence in UME. (Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal)
Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal - June 11, 2023 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
Doppler flow morphology characteristics of epiaortic arteries in aortic valve pathologies: a retrospective study on a cohort of patients with ischemic stroke
ConclusionsWell defined, qualitative Doppler flow characteristics detectable in the CCA and ICA are highly predictive for aortic valve disease. The consideration of these flow characteristics can be useful to streamline diagnostic and therapeutic measures, especially in the outpatient setting. (Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal)
Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal - June 7, 2023 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
Real-time Remote Expert-guided Echocardiography by Medical Students
ConclusionReal-time remote-guided echocardiography performed by medical students has limited value for clinical screening but could be useful for educational purposes.Graphical Abstract (Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal)
Source: Critical Ultrasound Journal - June 2, 2023 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
