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Home Monitoring of Ascites Using Portable Ultrasound and Telehealth Technology: A Pilot Study
Borna E Dabiri1, Kamal Tarabine1, Tina Kapur1
1Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Purpose:
To assess the feasibility of using portable home ultrasound technology during radiologist-led telehealth visits for monitoring ascites in patients requiring repetitive paracentesis procedures.
Methods:
Seven patients with recurring ascites underwent home telehealth visits using a portable ultrasound device and tablet computer. Radiologist-led, patient-performed remote ultrasound was used to assess ascites volume and confirm or adjust paracentesis scheduling. Patient and radiologist satisfaction, impact on empiric scheduling, and comparison of ultrasound ascites assessments with volume removed during paracentesis were evaluated.
Results:
Portable ultrasound during telehealth visits enabled monitoring of ascites volume, with high levels of satisfaction reported by both patients and radiologists. In 10% of the telehealth visits, empirically scheduled paracentesis procedures were deferred to a later date due to ultrasound evidence of insufficient fluid volume. This avoided patient visits ending with aborted paracentesis procedures. Portable telehealth ultrasound assessments of ascites volume appropriately stratified the volume of fluid removed during paracentesis.
Conclusion:
This pilot study showed that home-based portable ultrasound under teleguidance from a radiologist is feasible in patients requiring repetitive paracentesis procedures.
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