POCUS journal最新文献

Morel-Lavallee Lesion (MLL) is a rare diagnosis of a closed internal degloving injury that can occur with high energy trauma. The pain, soft tissue swelling, and ecchymosis that patients describe mimic many other emergent diagnoses to include compartment syndrome and fractures. The following case highlights the importance of the role of Emergency Medicine physicians using point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) to recognize and treat a potentially life-threatening injury. Our patient was initially managed with a bedside needle aspiration with drainage of 25cc of serosanguinous fluid that resulted in immediate pain relief. Patient was then admitted for further Interventional Radiology drainage of 160cc of serosanguinous fluid by Interventional Radiology.

Background: Heart failure (HF) is a complex entity that increases the risk of adverse outcomes. Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) allows easy lung and systemic venous congestion identification. Using ultrasound to detect sub-clinical congestion at discharge may help predict readmissions and mortality. Outcomes: The primary outcome was to address 30-day rehospitalization, and as a secondary outcome we investigated readmission and mortality in patients with residual congestion assessed with POCUS. Methods: A prospective prognostic cohort study was conducted at a tertiary-level institution in Colombia. Patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) at discharge were evaluated using POCUS through lung ultrasound (LUS), portal vein pulsatility (PVP), and a composite assessment of residual congestion. Inclusion criteria were ADHF, over 18 years old, with a "warm-wet" clinical profile. POCUS was performed using an ultraportable device using LUS and PVP. Statistical analysis used logistic regression models to estimate the association between ultrasound congestion and outcomes. Results: A total of100 patients were included. The population was mostly female, with a median age of 78 years; 59% were hypertensive, and 39% had type 2 diabetes. Median NT-ProBNP was 3878 pg/ml. At discharge, 55% of patient had an inferior vena cava (IVC) over 2 cm, 54% had interstitial syndrome, and 41% had PVP >30%. Regarding 30-day readmission, we found an odds ratio (OR) 7.22 (95% CI 2.7-19.3) for interstitial syndrome; for PVP >30%, an OR 24.61 (95% CI 7.7-78.1) and an OR 13.19 (95% CI 2.7-62.6) for composite of residual congestion. Conclusion: Patients with ADHF and sub-clinical congestion, evidenced in LUS and PVP, were more likely to have readmission within 30 days of discharge. These findings should be confirmed with clinical trials to assess the effectiveness of a POCUS-guided treatment.

Background: Earlier studies have proved deteriorating Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) as a marker of raised intracranial pressure (ICP). Low GCS is associated with abnormal pupillary parameters. Currently, many studies have proved that ultrasound provides a feasible and objective assessment of pupillary light reflex. However, literature is lacking to evaluate objective pupillary parameters to predict GCS of the patients by point of care ultrasound (POCUS). Materials and methods: In this prospective, cross-sectional study, 200 patients were recruited in the emergency department. The inclusion criteria were patients older than 18 years with acute presentation of altered mental status. Exclusion criteria were patients who had partial globe rupture or dementia. The patients underwent a B-mode POCUS-guided evaluation at rest and after light stimulation. Statistical analysis of relationship between pupillary assessment parameters and GCS was performed using Spearman's Rank correlation coefficient, Kruskal-Wallis equality-of-populations rank test, and area under the receiver operating characteristic. Results: The study consisted of 200 (42 female, 158 male) patients with mean (± standard deviation) of age and GCS of 43.56 ± 16.50 years and 5.54 ± 3.00, respectively. Majority of non-reactive pupils had a GCS Score of 3-8 (74 cases, 97.37%). The Pupillary diameter (PD) and PD variation showed statistically significant agreement with pupil reactivity to light stimulation and GCS, with Spearman's correlation coefficient ranging from 0.28 to 0.33 for PD, and -0.55 to -0.50 (p-value <0.05) for PD variation, respectively. PD variation rate (PDVR) is the percentage change in the magnitude of constriction of PD on light stimulation. PDVR of >19.68% had a sensitivity of 86.96% (95% CI: 82.04 - 91.88%) and specificity of 64.97% (95% CI: 58.00 - 71.94%) to detect GCS>8. Conclusion: PD variation and PDVR measured by POCUS has significant correlation with GCS >8. The study showed good sensitivity and low specificity of PDVR on light stimulation to detect GCS >8.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) are frequently used for diabetes and weight loss management. The GLP-1 RA   drugs delay gastric emptying and are a concern for increased risk of aspiration in the perioperative period. Current recommendations to hold these medications before surgery are consensus based. Gastric point of care ultrasound (POCUS)   can provide information regarding nature and volume of gastric contents in these patients during the perioperative period. In this case series, we present three patients where gastric POCUS helped formulate a safer, alternative anesthetic plan. Anesthetic management varied depending on the situation, urgency and needs of the procedure. We recommend gastric POCUS in this group of patients to provide objective assessment of gastric contents.

Acalculous cholecystitis is a life-threatening diagnosis that is more commonly associated with ill patients in the ICU. We present a case of acute acalculous cholecystitis (ACC) in an otherwise healthy 18-year-old man who presented to the Emergency Department (ED) with right-sided chest pain that was ultimately diagnosed with point of care ultrasound (POCUS). This case demonstrates the importance of conducting a thorough history and physical as well as the importance of POCUS to aid in clinical decision making and its value in diagnosing acute biliary pathology in the ED.

Lung Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) strongly influences physiotherapy and respiratory therapy clinical decision-making in the intensive care unit (ICU). The uptake of Lung POCUS training by physiotherapists and respiratory therapists is low in some countries, often due to many barriers to its implementation. The safe and appropriate integration of Lung POCUS into physiotherapy and respiratory therapy clinical practice may be achieved by various means. This article describes the pathway for physiotherapists to become Lung POCUS-accredited in Australia, focusing on a novel fast-track approach that may apply internationally and in other professions, such as respiratory therapy. While a fast-track approach is resource intensive, such resource allocation may be justified to support the growth of Lung POCUS in physiotherapy and respiratory therapy practice where mentor support may be inconsistent, lacking, or absent.

Aim: To analyze the association between pleural effusion detected by chest point of care ultrasound (POCUS) and clinical outcomes in patients with septic shock admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU). Material and methods: A prospective evaluation of ICU patients with septic shock in whom chest POCUS was performed during the first 24 hours of diagnosis to identify the presence and characteristics of pleural effusion. Results: Of 45 patients with septic shock, 17 (38%) had pleural effusion. Mortality (13 vs 17 patients, p=0.44), as well as length of stay in ICU (11.0 vs 6.5 days, p=0.161) were similar among groups. However, there was a significant difference in the modified Nutrition Risk in Critically Ill (mNUTRIC) score between the pleural effusion (5.82±1.13) and non-pleural effusion groups (4.00±2.39, p=0.001). In addition, patients with pleural effusion required more days on mechanical ventilation than those without pleural effusion (10 vs 7, p=0.04). A subgroup analysis of chest POCUS characteristics between surviving and non-surviving patients with pleural effusion identified a higher median size of pleural effusion in the non-surviving group (3±2.16 cm vs 1.9±0.6, p=0.01). Conclusion: Pleural effusion in patients with septic shock is associated with high mNUTRIC scores and more days on mechanical ventilation. The larger the pleural effusion, the lower the survival rate.

Background: The availability of faculty proficient in point of care ultrasound (POCUS) has emerged as a barrier to the ongoing expansion of POCUS across the field of internal medicine. We sought to examine the faculty graduates of our institutional POCUS program to identify characteristics associated with long-term proficiency to inform curricula and guide institutional support. Methods: We emailed a test and survey to the 89 faculty graduates of the annual POCUS course we have run from 2018-2023. Results: Of the 46 participants (52%) who completed the test and survey, the overall median test score was 72%. Graduates were most confident with image acquisition of the lung, and were most likely to use ultrasound to evaluate ascites and dyspnea. All 11 participants reporting completion of an image portfolio were actively teaching POCUS, whereas only 54% of non-completers were teaching. Portfolio completers scored higher on the test compared to non-completers (median 92% and 68%, respectively, p <0.01) and were more confident in image acquisition and interpretation (p<0.001). Conclusions: In this long-term, single-institutional study of faculty graduates of an annual POCUS program, those who reported completing an image portfolio scored significantly higher on a knowledge test, reported higher confidence with image acquisition and interpretation, and reported using and teaching POCUS more frequently compared to graduates who did not complete the portfolio. POCUS education programs should be designed to foster continuous scanning practice and image portfolio completion.

Introduction: Emergency Medicine Point of Care Ultrasound (EM-POCUS) is a diagnostic bedside tool for quick and accurate clinical decision-making. Comprehensive training in POCUS is a mandatory part of EM training in developed countries. In Nepal, we need to build an educational curriculum based on the local medical system, available resources, and educational environment. We used the modified Delphi method to develop a EM-POCUS curriculum. Methods: We formed an EM-POCUS core working group based on expertise in key identified areas. The core working group developed criteria for expert panelist selection and synthesized the data for panelists after each Delphi round. We recruited 46 expert panelists to participate in a series of electronic surveys. The literature review and the results of the first Delphi round identified a set of competencies. Quantitative methodology was performed for subsequent surveys. Data analysis of the frequency, percentage, median, and interquartile range of the 9-point Likert scale was performed. We deemed a minimum threshold of 80% agreement to retain items across Delphi rounds. The result of every round was disseminated before subsequent rounds for the expert panelists to review responses in light of the group's response. Results: We identified 10 specific global competency categories and 132 objectives (Round 1, response rate 85%). Rounds 2 and 3 (response rates 78% and 81% respectively) developed consensus on 45 core objectives (34%). The list of EM-POCUS competencies with the median (IQR) was finalized. Conclusion: This expert, consensus-generated EM-POCUS curriculum provides detailed guidance for EM-POCUS education and applications in clinical practice in Nepal.