Reliability of spectral Doppler in handheld ultrasonographic device.

To verify and validate the reliability of diastolic function parameters and valvular flow velocities acquired during the handheld ultrasound device (HUD) echocardiographic examination. Study population consisted of the consecutive patients referred for consultation due to dyspnea or impaired exercise tolerance. All patients underwent brief bedside echocardiographic screening with HUD.

Handheld ultrasound in cardiology: Current perspective.

The advantages of ultrasonography do not need to be discussed. It is suitable for use in diverse clinical settings and environments by operators with different backgrounds. Recent technological advances have led not only to the enhancement of the diagnostic capabilities of stationary ultrasound systems but also to miniaturization, which in turn led to the introduction of smartphone-sized handheld ultrasound devices (HUDs), designed to be used at bedside to improve and extend the scope of physical examination.

Integrated Assessment of Heart, Lung and Lower Extremity Veins Using Hand-Held Ultrasound Device in COVID-19 Patients: Feasibility and Clinical Application.

The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant shortage of medical personnel and the prioritization of life-saving procedures on internal medicine and cardiology wards. Thus, the cost- and time-effectiveness of each procedure proved vital. Implementing elements of imaging diagnostics into the physical examination of COVID-19 patients could prove beneficial to the treatment process, providing important clinical data at the moment of admission.

Artificial Intelligence-Powered Measurement of Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Using a Handheld Ultrasound Device.

The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of an algorithm for automated measurement of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) available on handheld ultrasound devices (HUDs). One hundred twelve patients admitted to the cardiology department underwent assessment performed with an HUD. In each case, the four-chamber apical view was obtained, and LVEF was calculated with LVivo software.

Personal mobile device-based pocket echocardiograph-The diagnostic value and clinical utility.

Purpose: A microUSB ultrasound probe, which can be connected to a personal mobile device constitutes a new class of diagnostic pocket-size imaging devices (PSID). The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and diagnostic value of brief transthoracic echocardiographic examination (bTTE) performed with the use of such equipment.

Material And Methods: The study population comprised 87 consecutive patients (58 men, mean age 61 ± 16 years), 53 of whom were admitted to intensive cardiac care unit and 34 patients, who were referred for transthoracic echocardiography from outpatient clinic.

Brief cardiovascular imaging with pocket-size ultrasound devices improves the accuracy of the initial assessment of suspected pulmonary embolism.

Pulmonary embolism onset is frequently neglected due to the non-specific character of its symptoms. Pocket-size imaging devices (PSID) present an opportunity to implement imaging diagnostics into conventional physical examination. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that supplementation of the initial bedside assessment of patients with suspected pulmonary embolism (PE) with four-point compression venous ultrasonography (CUS) and right ventricular size assessment with the use of PSID equipped with dual probe could positively influence the accuracy of clinical predictions.

Bedside screening with the use of pocket-size imaging device can be useful for ruling out carotid artery stenosis in patients scheduled for cardiac surgery.

Background: Patients (pts) scheduled for coronary artery bypass grafting, burdened with high risk of carotid stenosis, are recommended to undergo duplex ultrasonography (DUS) of carotid arteries.

Purpose: To validate pocket-size imaging device (PSID) equipped with linear probe as an easily accessible tool enabling bedside screening for carotid artery stenosis (CAS).

Methods: A total of 100 pts (60 men, mean age 69±11 years) with multivessel coronary artery disease underwent bedside DUS of carotid arteries with the use of PSID performed by a cardiology resident trained in DUS.

Prognostic Implications of Discordant Results of Myocardial Perfusion Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography and Exercise ECG Test in Patients with Stable Angina.

Background: ECG exercise treadmill test (ExT) and myocardial perfusion SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography) study are widely used for the non-invasive evaluation of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Objectives: To assess long-term prognosis in patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease (CAD), in whom ECG exercise treadmill test (ExT) and myocardial perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) provided discordant results are lacking.

Material And Methods: Four hundred eighty three patients with suspected or known stable CAD underwent 99mTc-methoxyisobutylisonitrile SPECT and ExT.

The influence of lidocaine topical anesthesia during transesophageal echocardiography on blood methemoglobin level and risk of methemoglobinemia.

Methemoglobinemia is a relatively rare, but potentially life-threating medical condition, which may be induced by application of topical anaesthetic agents commonly used during endoscopic procedure. The aim of our study was to assess the influence of lidocaine used prior to transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) on the blood level of methemoglobin in vivo. Additionally we attempted to establish the occurrence rate of clinically evident lidocaine-induced methemoglobinemia on the basis of data collected in our institution.

Pocket-size imaging devices allow for reliable bedside screening for femoral artery access site complications.

The aim of this study was to validate pocket-size imaging devices (PSIDs) as a fast screening tool for detecting complications after femoral artery puncture. Forty patients undergoing femoral artery puncture for arterial access related to percutaneous coronary intervention were enrolled. Twenty-four hours after percutaneous coronary intervention, the involved inguinal region was assessed with PSIDs enabling 2-D gray-scale and color Doppler imaging.

Long-term prognostic value of inducible and resting perfusion defects detected by single-photon emission computed tomography in the era of wide availability of coronary revascularization.

Purpose: To assess the long-term prognostic value of various types of perfusion defects detected by single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in patients with stable angina.

Methods: Seven hundred and thirty two patients (299 men, mean age 57 ± 9 years) with suspected or known stable coronary artery disease underwent rest/exercise SPECT protocol using 99mTc-methoxyisobutylisonitrile (MIBI). All patients completed clinical follow-up regarding cardiac events (cardiac death, sudden cardiac death, acute coronary syndrome, revascularization, cardiac hospitalization) for a mean period of 58 ± 8 months.