POCUS literature primer: key papers on aorta and deep vein thrombosis POCUS

The objective of this study is to identify the top five most influential papers published on the use of aorta point of care ultrasound (POCUS) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) POCUS in adult patients.

A 15-member expert panel was recruited from the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians (CAEP) Emergency Ultrasound Committee and the Canadian Ultrasound Fellowship Collaborative. The members of the expert panel all have ultrasound fellowship training (or equivalent), are active in POCUS research, and provide POCUS leadership locally and nationally. The panel used a modified Delphi process of three rounds of sequential surveys and discussion to achieve consensus on the top five most influential papers on aorta POCUS and DVT POCUS.

All panel members participated in all three rounds of this modified Delphi process. The panel initially nominated 33 relevant papers on aorta POCUS and 33 relevant papers on DVT POCUS. With the completion of round two, there were 11 candidate papers for aorta POCUS and 14 candidate papers for DVT POCUS. After meeting at the CAEP 2024 annual conference to discuss these papers and to build consensus, the panel ultimately identified the top five most influential papers on aorta POCUS and DVT POCUS after the completion of round three. Included papers focused on the diagnostic test characteristics of POCUS for the workup of suspected abdominal aortic aneurysm and DVT, as well as the clinical impact of POCUS on time to diagnosis and time to disposition in emergency settings.

This POCUS Literature Primer has generated a top-five list of the most influential papers on aorta POCUS and DVT POCUS. The papers in these lists can be considered core reading for all trainees and clinicians using these POCUS applications in their practice and serve as a foundation for future POCUS research.