Point of Care Ultrasound in the Management of Acute Chest Pain

Chest pain is one of the most common reasons for emergency department (ED) visits, but only a small proportion of cases are attributed to acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Rapid risk stratification is critical to improving outcomes and preventing unnecessary hospitalizations. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is a valuable tool for differentiating life-threatening and benign causes of chest pain. This review examines the role of POCUS in the triage, diagnosis, and management of acute chest pain beyond echocardiography. The ability to detect functional and anatomical cardiac and non-cardiac abnormalities guides diagnosis and therapy, while allowing for enhanced prognostication and triaging. Furthermore, the incorporation of POCUS into clinical workflows improves the time to diagnosis and treatment of many conditions. Future studies are needed to solidify these observations and to establish utility in prehospital settings.