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Use of Handheld Ultrasound Device with Artificial Intelligence for Evaluation of Cardiorespiratory System in COVID-19
Harish M Maheshwarappa1, Shivangi Mishra1, Anuja V Kulkarni2
1Department of Critical Care Medicine, Mazumdar Shaw Medical Centre, Narayana Health City, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
Insights
A handheld ultrasound device significantly reduced examination time for COVID-19 patients. This artificial intelligence-enabled tool demonstrated high accuracy in assessing cardiorespiratory systems, proving its efficacy and safety.
Area of Science:
- Critical care medicine
- Cardiopulmonary imaging
- Medical technology innovation
Background:
- Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) presents with diverse cardiopulmonary complications.
- Bedside ultrasound is crucial for rapid diagnosis of these manifestations.
- Handheld ultrasound devices offer potential for faster, safer patient assessments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the diagnostic efficiency and time duration of a handheld ultrasound device (Vscan Extend™) against conventional methods for COVID-19 patients.
- To evaluate the accuracy of the Vscan Extend™ with its artificial intelligence (AI) application in assessing cardiorespiratory parameters.
Main Methods:
- A prospective observational study involving 96 COVID-19 intensive care unit patients.
- Two intensivists performed paired observations: one using Vscan Extend™, the other using clinical examination, X-ray, ECG, and conventional echocardiography.
- Comparison of findings agreement and time duration between the two assessment methods.
Main Results:
- Handheld ultrasound significantly reduced bedside examination time (median 9 minutes) compared to conventional methods (median 20 minutes) (P < 0.001).
- High agreement (Cohen's kappa = 1.0) was observed for left ventricular systolic function, lung fields, and diaphragmatic movement.
- The Vscan Extend™ demonstrated efficiency in evaluating cardiac function, lung fields, diaphragm, deep veins, and abdomen.
Conclusions:
- The Vscan Extend™ facilitates rapid identification and diagnosis of cardiopulmonary manifestations in COVID-19 patients.
- The high agreement with conventional methods validates the efficacy and safety of the handheld ultrasound device.
- AI-powered handheld ultrasound can optimize resource utilization and reduce healthcare worker exposure in critical care settings.
Background:
Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) causes various cardiopulmonary manifestations. Bedside ultrasound helps in the rapid diagnosis of these manifestations. Vscan Extend™ (GE, Wauwatosa, WI, USA) is a handheld ultrasound device with a dual probe and an artificial intelligence application to detect ejection fraction. It can help in reducing the time for diagnosis, duration, and the number of healthcare workers exposed to COVID-19. This is a prospective observational study comparing the cardiorespiratory parameters and time duration for assessment between Vscan Extend™ and the conventional ultrasound machine.
Materials And Methods:
Paired observations were made in 96 COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit by two intensivists. Intensivist A used the Vscan Extend™ device to assess the cardiac function, lung fields, diaphragm, deep veins, and abdomen. Intensivist B used clinical examination, X-ray chest, ECG, and conventional echocardiogram for assessment. The agreement between the findings and the time duration required in both the methods was compared.
Results:
The use of handheld ultrasound has significantly decreased the duration of bedside examination of patients than the conventional method. The median duration of examination using handheld ultrasound was 9 (8.0-11.0) minutes, compared to 20 (17-22) minutes with the conventional method (P < 0.001). The Cohen's kappa coefficient was 1.0 for left ventricular systolic function, most of the lung fields, and diaphragmatic movement.
Conclusion:
Vscan Extend™ helps in the rapid identification and diagnosis of cardiopulmonary manifestations in COVID-19 patients. The agreement between the handheld device and the conventional method proves its efficacy and safety.
Ctri Number:
CTRI/2020/07/026701.
How To Cite This Article:
Maheshwarappa HM, Mishra S, Kulkarni AV, Gunaseelan V, Kanchi M. Use of Handheld Ultrasound Device with Artificial Intelligence for Evaluation of Cardiorespiratory System in COVID-19. J Crit Care Med 2021;25(5):524-527.
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