Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 23, 2026

Establishing a Diaphyseal Femur Fracture Model in Mice
Published on: December 9, 2022
Analysis of Changes in Right Ventricular Systolic Function by Point-of-Care Ultrasound in Patients Undergoing
I Joseph Raajesh1, N Pratheeba1, Ravindra R Bhat1
1Department of Anaesthesiology, Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Puducherry, India.
Background:
Fat embolism syndrome (FES) following major orthopedic injuries and surgeries is a well-known phenomenon where acute depression of right ventricular (RV) systolic function is a potential possibility. Clinical presentation of FES may vary from mild self-limiting nature to severe life-threatening multiorgan dysfunction syndrome with pulmonary manifestations being most common.
Aims:
This study was aimed to know whether perioperative assessment of RV function by measuring tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) with point-of-care transthoracic echocardiogram will identify patients at risk of developing FES and its sequelae.
Settings And Design:
This was a prospective observational study.
Materials And Methods:
This study was carried out in 142 patients with femur fractures posted for correction surgeries of both genders who require intramedullary (IM) reaming. TAPSE was recorded four times perioperatively. Time taken for IM reaming was also recorded.
Statistical Analysis Used:
Recorded data were analyzed using professional statistics package Epi Info 7.0 version for Windows. Descriptive data were represented as mean ± standard deviation for numeric variables, percentages, and proportions for categorical variables. Repeated-measure ANOVA was applied to assess the changes in TAPSE from baseline to immediate postoperative, after 6-h postoperative, and after 24-h postoperatively. Pearson's correlation was utilized to be applied to assess the relationship between TAPSE and other numerical variables.
Results:
All four readings of TAPSE were well above 17 mm (mean of 19.06, 19.05, 19.04, and 19.04, respectively). Mean reaming time was found to be 6.92 min. None of the patients developed any postoperative pulmonary complications.
Conclusion:
Assessment of RV function can be done with relative ease using TAPSE as a noninvasive method without any complications. Reaming time not exceeding 12 min did not produce any changes in RV function as measured by TAPSE as well as any postoperative pulmonary complications.
Related Concept Videos
Patient-centered Care
Distance Corrections
Power Factor Correction
Bones of the Lower Limb: Femur and Patella
Interdisciplinary Care: The Health Care Team-I
Physicians
The physician's primary responsibility is to diagnose illness and direct the medical or surgical treatment of the condition. The authority to admit patients to a healthcare agency or institution and practice care within that setting is granted to physicians by the healthcare agency or institution...
Interdisciplinary Care: The Health Care Team-II
Physical Therapist
A physical therapist (PT) aims to restore function or prevent additional impairment in a patient following an injury or disease. Massage, heat, cold, water, sonar waves, exercises, and electrical stimulation are some treatments used by PTs to treat...

