Related Experiment Videos
A hand-carried personal ultrasound device for rapid evaluation of left ventricular function: use after limited echo
Kristina Lemola1, Elina Yamada, Dinesh Jagasia
1Cardiology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Hospitals, Iowa City, Iowa, USA.
Insights
Hand-carried personal ultrasound devices (HCPUDs) enable rapid cardiac screening. Cardiology fellows accurately assessed left ventricular systolic function qualitatively using HCPUDs, though quantitative measurements were more challenging.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Imaging
- Point-of-Care Ultrasound
Background:
- Hand-carried personal ultrasound devices (HCPUDs) offer potential for rapid cardiac screening.
- Physicians with limited echocardiography training may utilize HCPUDs for initial cardiac assessments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the accuracy of HCPUDs for assessing left ventricular (LV) size and function.
- To determine the efficacy of HCPUDs when used by cardiology fellows with brief training.
Main Methods:
- Forty-five patients underwent HCPUD examinations using a 2.4-kg device with color power Doppler.
- HCPUD results were compared against conventional echocardiography performed by sonographers and interpreted by echocardiographers.
- Study involved linear measurements of left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD) and interventricular septal (IVS) thickness.
Main Results:
- HCPUD exams were rapid, averaging 6 ± 2 minutes.
- 100% agreement was observed between HCPUD and conventional echocardiography for qualitative assessment of LV systolic function.
- Quantitative measurements showed strong correlation but challenges with smaller structures: LVEDD (r=0.82) and IVS thickness (r=0.69).
Conclusions:
- HCPUDs are effective for rapid, qualitative screening of LV systolic function after limited training.
- The device shows high accuracy for qualitative assessment, supporting its use in point-of-care settings.
- Quantitative measurements of cardiac structures using HCPUDs present greater challenges compared to qualitative assessments.
Abstract:
A hand-carried personal ultrasound device (HCPUD) may be used for rapid cardiac screening by physicians with limited echo training. Our objective was to determine the accuracy of rapid HCPUD evaluation of left ventricular (LV) size and function when used by a Cardiology Fellow. Forty-five patients underwent an HCPUD exam using a 2.4-kg device with a 2- to 4-MHz curved transducer and color power Doppler (SonoSite). The results were compared with sonographer-performed and echocardiographer-interpreted exams using conventional equipment. The HCPUD exam lasted 6 +/- 2 minutes. There was 100% agreement between HCPUD and conventional echo on qualitative assessment of LV systolic function. Comparing the HCPUD and conventional linear measurements of left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD) and of interventricular septal (IVS) thickness: LVEDD is HCPUD = 0.94 conventional -0.2,r = 0.82, P < 0.0001; IVS is HCPUD= 0.59 conventional+0.6, r = 0.69, P < 0.0001. Thus, an HCPUD can effectively be used after limited training to rapidly screen for qualitative abnormalities of LV systolic function. Quantitative measurements of smaller structures with the HCPUD are more challenging.