Point-of Care Ultrasound in Cardiac Arrest: A Focused Review

Cardiac arrest is a common condition with low survival rates. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has been increasingly integrated in cardiac arrest care to enhance diagnostic accuracy and guide interventions. POCUS can be divided into cardiac and non-cardiac applications. Cardiac applications include assessment of cardiac tamponade, pulmonary embolism, ventricular fibrillation, and chest compression quality. Non-cardiac applications include endotracheal tube confirmation, pneumothorax assessment, and evaluation of aortic and intra-abdominal pathology. POCUS can also be used to identify the presence or absence of a pulse more rapidly and accurately than manual palpation. Prognostic utility is highest in traumatic arrests, but more limited in non-traumatic arrests. In appropriately trained individuals, POCUS is a valuable component of cardiac arrest care.