Recommendations for Cardiac Point-of-Care Ultrasound Nomenclature

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Ultrasound Technology
• Clinical Diagnostics

Background:

• Cardiac point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) terminology is currently inconsistent and ambiguous.
• This heterogeneity stems from its development across various medical specialties.
• Confusing terminology can lead to misunderstandings and potential patient safety issues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the evolution of cardiac POCUS terminology.
• To propose standardized nomenclature for cardiac POCUS.
• To enhance consistency in academic literature and clinical practice.

Main Methods:

• An iterative process involving a multidisciplinary Writing Group, including medical linguistics experts.
• Contextualization and standardization of cardiac POCUS terms.
• Development of a specialty-neutral vocabulary.

Main Results:

• Identification of diverse and often ambiguous terms used for cardiac POCUS.
• Recommendations for distinguishing between intrinsic and practical terminology differences.
• A proposed deliberate vocabulary for cardiac POCUS.

Conclusions:

• Standardized cardiac POCUS terminology is essential for improving communication and patient safety.
• The proposed nomenclature aims for broad applicability across specialties and settings.
• This initiative will impact current practice and guide future research in cardiac POCUS.