The Acuson P10 pocket echocardiograph allowed qualitative assessment of left ventricular ejection fraction and dimension in 77% of unselected cardiology patients.
Observational (n=30)
No
Does a pocket echocardiograph allow accurate qualitative assessment of LV size and function compared to alternative imaging modalities in unselected cardiology patients?
Pocket echocardiography is a feasible tool for rapid qualitative assessment of left ventricular size and function in routine tertiary cardiology practice.
AIMS: Hand-carried ultrasound scanners are getting smaller. The Acuson P10 is the latest and smallest portable echocardiograph available on the market. METHODS AND RESULTS: We tested the ability of this scanner to allow qualitative assessment of LV size and function in an unselected group of 30 patients 19 male, 11 female; mean age (SD) 64.7 (10.3) years seen by a consultant cardiologist (accredited for advanced echocardiography) during a week on call in a regional cardiac tertiary facility. Patients had focused scans (parasternal long-axis and apical four chamber views) for a maximum of 4 min, and an assessment of LVEF (normal/abnormal) and LV dimension (LVD) (dilated/non-dilated) was recorded. Where available, this was compared with results of alternative imaging modalities. In 23 (77%) patients, it was possible to assess LVEF and LVD; of these, 19 (83%) had alternative imaging techniques, which confirmed the findings. It was possible to obtain a parasternal long-axis image in 28 (93%) patients and apical four-chamber views in 23 (77%). Clinical management was altered by the findings of the portable scan in two patients. CONCLUSION: The 'pocket scanner' allows accurate qualitative assessment of left ventricular dimensions and function in a substantial proportion of patients seen in tertiary cardiology practice.
Egan et al. (Fri,) conducted a observational in Unselected cardiology patients (n=30). Acuson P10 pocket echocardiograph vs. Alternative imaging modalities was evaluated on Ability to qualitatively assess left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and dimension (LVD). The Acuson P10 pocket echocardiograph allowed qualitative assessment of left ventricular ejection fraction and dimension in 77% of unselected cardiology patients.
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