March of the machines: handheld echo goes mainstream 

EUROECHO & other Imaging Modalities 2011

.
The EAE is currently in the process of developing a new two part training programme for non-cardiologists due to start next year. 
LINK
.

.
Two studies published earlier this year have helped allay concerns about clinical effectiveness and image quality. In the first, Nuno Cardim and colleagues from the Hospital da Luz (Lisborn, Portugal) examined 189 outpatients using both conventional clinical examinations and the handheld devices to see if the handheld device delivered additional information (J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2011; 24:117-24). Results showed that in 14% of patients an identification for transfer was made by sonography while the clinical examination spoke against it, and in nearly one third of cases the clinical examination indicated a referral while sonography spoke against it. Handheld devices, the investigators concluded, offered additional information thereby reducing the number of unnecessary additional echocardiograms while increasing the number of useful echocardiograms.
.
In the second study, Voigt, together with Christian Prinz, assessed 349 consecutive patients referred for echocardiography with both the GE V scan system and a “high-end” echo system ( Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography 2011;24:111-6). Results showed that endocardial visibility grades and regional wall-motion scores with the two systems were comparable and significantly correlated .
.
“We were completely astonished by the good quality of the images we got with the handheld device. It showed that for the things you can use them for you can have a degree of confidence close to conventional echo machines,” said Voigt
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Esse blog tem mostrado imagens e diagnósticos surpreendentes com o uso do Vscan.
Mas dito em inglês, fica bem mais convincente!!!!!
.

.

Aqui o link
.
Evaluation of Non-ST Segment Elevation Acute Chest Pain Syndromes with a Novel Low-Profile Continuous Imaging Ultrasound Transducer
.
 Results: Twenty-four patients had regional wall motion abnormalities (RWMA) on their initial echo which were unchanged during the period of monitoring. All had evidence of CAD. Twenty-eight patients had transient RWMA. All had evidence of CAD. Eighteen patients had normal wall motion throughout the monitoring period, 14 of these had no evidence of CAD, and four had evidence of CAD. These four patients did not have chest pain during monitoring. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of echocardiographic monitoring for diagnosing non-ST elevation myocardial infarction was 88%, 100%, and 91% respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the ECG for diagnosis of CAD were 31%, 100%, and 52%, respectively. Echocardiography was superior to ECG (P < 0.001). 
.
Conclusions: The data indicate that continuous cardiac imaging is superior to ECG monitoring for the diagnosis of CAD in patients presenting with acute non-ST segment elevation chest pain syndromes. This technique could be a useful adjunct to ECG monitoring for myocardial ischemia in the acute care setting
.

.
Por essas e outras que a Ecocardiografia é o máximo.
Superior a qualquer trambolho magnético ou radioativo!
.
Colado no peito, fazendo Eco 24h e gravando digitalmente.(Veja aqui)
.
Simples, barato e eficiente.
.