Emergency medicine clinics of North America
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This article reviews the use of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) for evaluating the aorta from anatomy and image acquisition to the diagnosis of aortic pathology, including aneurysms and dissection. Ruptured aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection are associated with high mortality and often experience a delay in time to diagnosis. Traditionally diagnosis was made through computed tomography which takes time and removes the patient from the emergency department. Incorporating POCUS into the evaluation of patients with suspected aortic pathology allows for rapid, accurate diagnosis and earlier definitive treatment.
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Vascular point-of-care ultrasound is a useful tool for emergency department (ED) clinicians to evaluate lower extremity pain and swelling. It can quickly and safely detect deep vein thrombosis, a serious condition that can lead to pulmonary embolism and post-thrombotic syndrome as well as diagnose pseudoaneurysm, hematoma, and acute arterial occlusion, a vascular emergency that requires urgent surgical intervention. Point-of-Care Ultrasound can be a useful tool for the evaluation of ED patients with vascular emergencies.
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One cannot successfully employ point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) without a process to provide support and guidance. POCUS administration is a multifaceted topic that demands the utmost attention from those responsible for program implementation and long-term execution. This article delves into POCUS administration and is meant to serve as a guide for the practitioner seeking to start, maintain, or augment their POCUS program.
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Point-of-care ultrasound is a useful tool in the evaluation of women with pelvic complaints in the emergency department. Transabdominal and transvaginal approaches may be employed to assess a variety of obstetric or gynecologic pathologies.