Adapting the role of handheld echocardiography during the COVID-19 pandemic: A practical guide

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Medical Technology

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated adaptations in healthcare delivery, including inpatient echocardiography.
• Increased focus on immediate clinical impact and reduced exposure during high-infection periods is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the role of handheld echocardiography (HHE) as a first-line assessment tool during a pandemic.
• To propose a protocol and reporting template for acute echocardiography services in contagious disease settings.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing HHE for focused, time-efficient cardiac assessments.
• Developing a core dataset for acute echocardiography during pandemics.
• Identifying typical acute cardiology scenarios and COVID-19 cardiac presentations.

Main Results:

• HHE can effectively limit scanning time and operator exposure to viral loads.
• A structured protocol enables risk minimization for healthcare professionals.
• Expert teams can identify critical pathologies using limited HHE imaging.

Conclusions:

• HHE is a viable tool for acute inpatient echocardiography during pandemics.
• A standardized protocol enhances safety and efficiency in high-contagion environments.
• Focused HHE facilitates timely management of cardiac conditions, including those in COVID-19 patients.