Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 22, 2026

Echocardiographic Assessment Using Subxiphoid-Only Examination for Hypotensive Patients
08:45

Echocardiographic Assessment Using Subxiphoid-Only Examination for Hypotensive Patients

Published on: April 18, 2025

Hand-carried ultrasound improves the bedside cardiovascular examination

Sergio L Kobal1, Shaul Atar, Robert J Siegel

  • 1Cardiac Non-Invasive Laboratory, Room 5335, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA.

Chest
|September 15, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Hand-carried cardiac ultrasound (HCU) devices aid physicians in diagnosing cardiovascular disease during initial patient contact. These portable ultrasound tools are especially valuable in emergency care, community screenings, and remote healthcare settings.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Medical Imaging
  • Diagnostic Tools

Background:

  • Physical examination has limitations in diagnosing cardiovascular disease.
  • Current medical training shows reduced focus on physical diagnosis skills.
  • There is a need for advanced diagnostic tools in clinical practice.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the clinical utility of hand-carried cardiac ultrasound (HCU) devices.
  • To evaluate HCU's role in assisting physicians with cardiovascular disease diagnosis.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic review of 42 articles published between 1978 and 2004 was conducted.
  • Literature search focused on the application and effectiveness of HCU devices.

Main Results:

  • HCU devices demonstrate capability and simplicity in aiding cardiovascular disease diagnosis.
  • These devices are particularly useful during initial patient encounters.
  • HCU is highly beneficial in emergency/critical care, community screening, and remote areas.

Conclusions:

  • HCU devices can complement the physical examination by providing real-time cardiovascular imaging.
  • The technology has the potential to modify traditional medical practices.
  • HCU addresses the limitations of physical examination and evolving diagnostic training.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Continuous Venous-Arterial Doppler Ultrasound During a Preload Challenge09:32

Continuous Venous-Arterial Doppler Ultrasound During a Preload Challenge

Published on: January 20, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Assessing Blood pressure using a doppler ultrasound01:19

Assessing Blood pressure using a doppler ultrasound

To obtain accurate blood pressure measurements in clinical settings, especially when traditional methods are insufficient, healthcare professionals utilize the Doppler ultrasound technique. This method uses high-frequency sound waves to detect blood flow within the arteries, which is crucial for patients with conditions that complicate circulatory system assessment.
Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Doppler Ultrasound Blood Pressure Assessment:
Preparation of Equipment:
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System I:Echocardiography01:17

Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System I:Echocardiography

Cardiac imaging studies encompass a wide range of noninvasive and minimally invasive techniques designed to visualize the heart's structure and function in detail. One such technique is echocardiography, which uses high-frequency ultrasound waves to produce detailed images of the heart, known as echocardiograms.
Indications: Echocardiography is utilized to diagnose heart failure, valve disorders, and myocardial infarction. It also assesses cardiac structures' size, shape, and motion, evaluates...
Ultrasonography01:17

Ultrasonography

Ultrasonography is an imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to visualize the body's internal structures. It is a non-invasive and safe procedure that does not involve the use of ionizing radiation, making it widely used in various medical fields. Ultrasonography is used to study heart function, blood flow in the neck or extremities, certain conditions such as gallbladder disease, and fetal growth and development.
During an ultrasonography procedure, a handheld device called a...
Assessment of the Cardiovascular System III: Palpation01:27

Assessment of the Cardiovascular System III: Palpation

Palpation involves feeling the body to evaluate texture, size, consistency, and tenderness for assessing cardiovascular health. The following steps are organized in a head-to-toe order:
Jugular Venous Pressure (JVP) Measurement
Position the patient at a thirty- to forty-five-degree angle or in a semi-fowler's position. Look for the highest point of pulsation in the internal jugular vein and measure the vertical distance to the angle of Loius or sternal angle. A normal JVP is 3-4 cm above the...
Ultrasound II: Endoscopic Ultrasound and FibroScan01:25

Ultrasound II: Endoscopic Ultrasound and FibroScan

Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) and FibroScan are valuable diagnostic tools in gastroenterology and hepatology, each with specific applications and techniques.
Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS):
Equipments Used To Measure Blood Pressure01:30

Equipments Used To Measure Blood Pressure

Direct Method
This invasive approach involves cannulating a peripheral artery. During each cardiac contraction, pressure generates mechanical motion within the catheter, transmitted through rigid, fluid-filled tubing to a transducer. This transducer converts mechanical motion into electrical signals displayed as waveforms on a monitor. An automatic flushing system prevents blood backflow. Due to the potential risk of unexpected arterial blood loss, this method is primarily used in intensive...