The importance of patient characteristics, operators, and image quality for the accuracy of heart failure diagnosis by general practitioners using handheld ultrasound devices.

Aims: To evaluate whether the characteristics of patients, operators, and image quality could explain the accuracy of heart failure (HF) diagnostics by general practitioners (GPs) using handheld ultrasound devices (HUDs) with automatic decision-support software and telemedical support.

Methods And Results: Patients referred to an outpatient cardiac clinic due to symptoms indicating HF were examined by one of five GPs after dedicated training. In total, 166 patients were included [median (inter-quartile range) age 73 (63-78) years; mean ± standard deviation ejection fraction 53 ± 10%].

Clinical Influence of Handheld Ultrasound, Supported by Automatic Quantification and Telemedicine, in Suspected Heart Failure.

Early and correct heart failure (HF) diagnosis is essential to improvement of patient care. We aimed to evaluate the clinical influence of handheld ultrasound device (HUD) examinations by general practitioners (GPs) in patients with suspected HF with or without the use of automatic measurement of left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (autoEF), mitral annular plane systolic excursion (autoMAPSE) and telemedical support. Five GPs with limited ultrasound experience examined 166 patients with suspected HF (median interquartile range = 70 (63-78) y; mean ± SD EF = 53 ± 10%).

Real-time automatic quantification of left ventricular function by hand-held ultrasound devices in patients with suspected heart failure: a feasibility study of a diagnostic test with data from general practitioners, nurses and cardiologists.

Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility and reliability of hand-held ultrasound (HUD) examinations with real-time automatic decision-making software for ejection fraction (autoEF) and mitral annular plane systolic excursion (autoMAPSE) by novices (general practitioners), intermediate users (registered cardiac nurses) and expert users (cardiologists), respectively, compared to reference echocardiography by cardiologists in an outpatient cohort with suspected heart failure (HF).

Design: Feasibility study of a diagnostic test.

Setting And Participants: 166 patients with suspected HF underwent HUD examinations with autoEF and autoMAPSE measurements by five novices, three intermediate-skilled users and five experts.

Feasibility and Accuracy of Tele-Echocardiography, With Examinations by Nurses and Interpretation by an Expert via Telemedicine, in an Outpatient Heart Failure Clinic.

Objectives: To study the feasibility and accuracy of focused echocardiography by nurses supported by near-real-time interpretation via telemedicine by an experienced cardiologist.

Methods: Fifty consecutive patients were included from an outpatient heart failure (HF) clinic. Limited echocardiography was performed by 1 of 3 specialized nurses.

Feasibility and Diagnostic Accuracy of Point-of-Care Abdominal Sonography by Pocket-Sized Imaging Devices, Performed by Medical Residents.

Objectives: We aimed to study the feasibility and diagnostic performance of bedside ultrasound by examination of the liver, gallbladder, kidneys, and abdominal aorta performed by medical residents with limited experience in ultrasound, on emergency admissions using pocket-sized imaging devices (PSIDs).

Methods: A total of 199 patients admitted acutely to the medical department at the non-university Levanger Hospital, Norway, during the period from April 4 to June 23, 2011, were consecutively included. Six medical residents, selected by drawing, examined these patients with a PSID at admission.

Feasibility and accuracy of point-of-care pocket-size ultrasonography performed by medical students.

Background: Point-of-care ultrasound performed by clinicians is a useful supplement in the treatment and assessment of patients. We aimed to investigate whether medical students with minimal training were able to successfully acquire and interpret ultrasound images using a pocket-size imaging device (PSID) as a supplement to their clinical practice.

Methods: Thirty 5th year (of six) medical students volunteered to participate.

Feasibility and reliability of point-of-care pocket-size echocardiography performed by medical residents.

Aims: To study the feasibility and reliability of pocket-size hand-held echocardiography (PHHE) by medical residents with limited experience in ultrasound.

Methods And Results: A total of 199 patients admitted to a non-university medical department were examined with PHHE. Six out of 14 medical residents were randomized to use a focused protocol and examine the heart, pericardium, pleural space, and abdominal large vessels.

Feasibility and reliability of point-of-care pocket-sized echocardiography.

Aims: To study the reliability and feasibility of point-of-care pocket-sized echocardiography (POCKET) at the bedside in patients admitted to a medical department at a non-university hospital.

Methods And Results: One hundred and eight patients were randomized to bedside POCKET examination shortly after admission and later high-end echocardiography (HIGH) in the echo-lab. The POCKET examinations were done by cardiologists on their ward rounds.