Focused cardiac ultrasound is feasible in parturients; a prospective observational study

Background In pregnancy, the major causes of morbidity and mortality include diseases that affect circulation profoundly and restoration of normal circulation is a key objective. Focused cardiac ultrasound provides information on the individual determinants of circulation and has a significant impact on patient management. This study aimed to determine the feasibility of focused cardiac ultrasound in term parturients. Methods Forty parturients underwent focused cardiac ultrasound. Parasternal long‐axis, parasternal short‐axis, 4‐chamber and subcostal views were performed in the left‐lateral position and the supine position by a novice operator. All images were graded on the following scale: 1 = no image; 2 = poor and insufficient image; 3 = sufficient image quality; 4 = good image quality; 5 = perfect image quality. A cut‐off grade of three signified images sufficient for clinical decision‐making. Results Images sufficient for clinical decision‐making were obtained in all patients when including all imaging views. 37/40 (93 %) patients presented images of grade ≥ 4, whereas 10/40 (25%) patients had images of grade 5. Image grades were higher in the left lateral position (all P < 0.001). Parturients with a body mass index ≤ 30 kg/m 2 did not present different image grades than parturients with a higher body mass index ( P = 0.753). Subcostal views could not be obtained. Conclusion Focused cardiac ultrasound is feasible in the obstetric population and images of sufficient quality for clinical decision‐making were obtained in all parturients by an operator with limited experience.