Key result
Single-probe handheld ultrasound yields interpretable cardiac imaging in ~88% of views, but quality drops with BMI.
Why the study?
The quality of cardiac ultrasound imaging from commercially available single-probe handheld devices has not been well assessed.
Does cardiac ultrasound imaging using single-probe handheld devices provide interpretable image quality in routine patients?
Observational (n=206)
Does cardiac ultrasound imaging using single-probe handheld devices provide interpretable image quality in routine patients?
Single-probe handheld ultrasound devices provide basic interpretable cardiac imaging in the majority of patients, although image quality is limited, particularly in those with higher BMI.
Supports handheld ultrasound feasibility for older-adult cardiac assessment; hypothesis-generating for screening and should not yet change practice.
Aims This study aims to assess quality of cardiac ultrasound imaging from commercially available single-probe handheld devices. Methods Cardiac imaging from single-probe handheld ultrasound devices was prospectively acquired by registered cardiac sonographers. Videos were graded on a scale of 1 (uninterpretable) to 5 (diagnostic-quality imaging) by 2 sonographers. The average image quality score for each cine loop was analyzed. Interpretable imaging was defined as an average IQ score ≥ 2. Good image quality was defined as an average IQ score ≥ 4. Results Imaging from single-probe devices representing 518 videos from 206 patients was assessed. The mean age was 72 (SD 11.1) years. Agreement on image quality was moderate (weighted kappa 0.50, 95% CI 0.45-0.55). Correlation between sonographer quality grades was 0.60. The median average IQ score was 2.5 (1.5). 454 (88%) of the videos were interpretable (average IQ ≥ 2). At least one interpretable video was obtained for 187 (91%) patients. 62/518 (12%) of videos had good image quality (average score ≥ 4). There was a trend toward lower image quality with increasing BMI categories [16-25, median 3.0 (2.0, 3.5), 25-29, median 3.0 (2.0, 3.5), > 29 median 2.5 (2.0, 3.0), p < 0.001]. Conclusions Basic interpretable imaging from single-probe handheld ultrasound devices can be obtained for most patients under idealized conditions, suggesting possible use for enhanced cardiac disease detection. Since imaging from a significant minority of patients is uninterpretable and lower image quality is associated with higher BMI, rigorous assessment of image quality is essential prior to image interpretation.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Grimaldo et al. (2026) reported an observational. Single-probe handheld ultrasound devices was evaluated on Interpretable imaging (average image quality score ≥ 2). Single-probe handheld ultrasound devices provided interpretable cardiac imaging in 88% of videos, though lower image quality was significantly associated with increasing BMI (P<0.001).
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: