Evolving role of point-of-care ultrasound in prehospital emergency care: a narrative review

Abstract Point-of-care ultrasound is an emerging technology in prehospital emergency care, covering a wide range of medical and traumatic disease patterns. As an ad-hoc imaging modality, it is performed on-scene and during ground or aeromedical transport, enabling experienced prehospital clinicians to diagnose or rule out potentially life-threatening conditions. Rapid ultrasound assessment modulates treatment decisions and guides the choice of transport mode and appropriate hospital destination. In this narrative review, we explore the diagnostic and therapeutic utility of point-of-care ultrasound in key prehospital symptom complexes, including respiratory distress, trauma, cardiac arrest and nontraumatic shock. We provide a concise overview of relevant protocols and ultrasound findings that support the management of prehospital disease patterns and highlight both the benefits and challenges of on-scene ultrasound. In addition, we discuss potential future applications in the context of artificial intelligence. We advocate for large scale clinical trials and underscore the need for comprehensive educational programs focused at skill aquisiton and maintenance, both of which are essential for advancing prehospital emergency care and upholding high standards of quality.