Emergency medicine updates: Point-of-care ultrasound in cardiac arrest

Cardiac arrest is a commonly managed condition in the emergency department (ED). Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has demonstrated utility in multiple components of cardiac arrest.

This paper summarizes evidence-based updates concerning the use of POCUS in cardiac arrest.

POCUS can be used for both cardiac and non-cardiac applications. Common cardiac assessments include the evaluation of pericardial effusion and tamponade physiology, right ventricular dilation, occult ventricular fibrillation, and optimizing chest compressions. Non-cardiac applications include the assessment of intraperitoneal free fluid, aortic pathology, hypovolemia, endotracheal tube position, and pneumothorax. In addition, POCUS can evaluate for the presence or absence of a pulse more quickly and accurately than manual palpation. POCUS can also guide prognosis by assessing cardiac activity.

An understanding of literature updates focused on POCUS can improve the ED care of patients in cardiac arrest.