Bedside Limited Echocardiography by the Emergency Physician Is Accurate During Evaluation of the Critically Ill Patient

pediatrics.aappublications.org
echocardiography

Our study suggests that PEP sonographers are capable of obtaining images that permit accurate assessment of LVF and IVC volume. BLEEP can be performed with focused training and oversight by a pediatric cardiologist. We conducted a prospective observational study of a convenience sample of patients who were admitted to our intensive care unit. All patients underwent BLEEP followed by an independent formal echocardiogram by an experienced pediatric echocardiography provider (PEP). IVC volume was assessed by measurement of the maximal diameter of the IVC. LVF was determined by calculating shortening fraction (SF) using M-mode measurements on the parasternal short-axis view at the level of the papillary muscle.

Read More