Feasibility of Focused Cardiac Ultrasound Performed by Trainees During Cesarean Delivery

( Anesth Analg . 2023 Dec 21. doi: 10.1213/ANE.0000000000006747) Cardiovascular diseases are the primary cause of maternal deaths in developed nations. The improved survival of children with congenital heart issues and the rising risk factors among women of childbearing age have led to a growing population of pregnant women with heart conditions. Due to factors like increasing maternal age, comorbidities, and assisted reproductive technologies, experts in anesthesiology advocate for formal training in maternal critical care, including the use of focused cardiac ultrasound (FCU) in high-risk obstetric units. Although expert-performed FCU has been well-documented, there is limited evidence of its feasibility when done by trainees or less-experienced physicians. Pregnancy's physiological changes make FCU optimal, but challenges arise in intraoperative settings, prompting a need for standardized FCU training in obstetric anesthesia residency and fellowship programs.