Initial accuracy of bedside ultrasound performed by emergency physicians for multiple indications after a short training period.

PURPOSES: Emergency physician-performed ultrasonography holds promise as a rapid and accurate method to diagnose multiple diseases in the emergency department (ED). Our objective was to assess the initial diagnostic accuracy (first 55 explorations) of emergency physician-performed ultrasonography for multiple categories of ultrasound use after a short training period. BASIC PROCEDURES: This was a prospective observational study conducted at an urban ED from June 2010 to March 2011 in patients with suspected cholecystitis, hydronephrosis, deep vein thrombosis, and different cardiovascular problems. Five physicians had a 10-hour training session before enrolling patients. The test characteristics of bedside ultrasonography were determined with the final radiologist/cardiologist interpretation. MAIN FINDINGS: A total of 275 ultrasonographic examinations were performed (78 abdominal explorations, 80 renal explorations, 76 2-point compression ultrasonographic examinations in patients with suspected deep vein thrombosis, and 41 echocardiograms in patients with different acute cardiovascular problems). Radiologists/cardiologists detected 28 cases of cholecystitis, 26 cases of deep vein thrombosis, 49 cases of hydronephrosis, and 15 cases of significant cardiovascular alterations. The overall diagnostic accuracy of ED ultrasonograms yielded a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 92.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 90%-99%), 89% (95% CI, 84%-94%), 86.2 % (95% CI, 82%-93%), and 94.2% (95% CI, 92%-99%), respectively. Nineteen (6.9%) false-positive results and 6 false-negative results (2.1%) were obtained. PRINCIPAL CONCLUSIONS: Emergency physicians in our institution attained reasonably high initial accuracy in the performance of ultrasonography for a variety of clinical problems after a 10-hour training period.

Outcomes of atherothrombotic transient ischemic attack and minor stroke in an emergency department: results of an outpatient management program.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Management of patients with transient ischemic attack varies widely. The aim of this study is to analyze the outcomes of patients with transient ischemic attacks or minor stroke managed in the emergency department (ED) on an outpatient basis and to identify risk factors associated with stroke recurrence. METHODS: We prospectively analyzed 97 patients with transient ischemic attack or minor stroke who were treated with a standard diagnostic and therapeutic protocol in the ED by emergency physicians. Factors in previous reports were analyzed in relation with a new neurologic event at 90 days or the presence of a severe extracranial carotid stenosis. RESULTS: Incidence of recurrent transient ischemic attack or stroke was 7.2% at 24 hours, 9.3 % at 1 week, and 23.7 % at 3 months. Overall incidence of moderate to severe stroke was 0%, 1%, and 5% at the same points, and in outpatients was 0%, 0%, and 4.2%. ABCD2 scoring in these patients predicted stroke rates of 6% at 7 days and 9.9% at 90 days. CONCLUSION: Patients with transient ischemic attack of atherothrombotic origin can be safely treated at the ED with an exhaustive diagnostic and therapeutic protocol. The rates of stroke recurrence obtained in our study are comparable with those in previous studies that show low recurrence risk.

Predictors of pulmonary hypertension in patients with end-stage heart failure.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is associated with a greater mortality rate in patients with heart failure (HF) and it is a risk factor for right ventricular failure after heart transplantation. This study was designed to explore risk factors for PH development in patients with advanced heart failure and left ventricular dysfunction. In a retrospective observational study of 419 patients evaluated for heart transplantation due to end stage HF, different variables were analyzed to find predictors of PH (defined as a mean pulmonary pressure >25 mmHg), reactive PH (defined as a transpulmonary gradient >12 mmHg) and severe PH (defined as a mean pulmonary pressure >40 mmHg and/or pulmonary vascular ressistance >3 WU) using a multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis. Prevalence of PH, out of proportion and severe PH was 62.2%, 23.8%, and 18.8% respectively. The presence of moderate-severe mitral regurgitation [2.1 (1.2-3.7); P=0.006], moderate-severe tricuspid regurgitation [OR 2.9 (1.3-6.4); P=0.005] and a duration of disease >3 years [OR 1.7 (1.1-2.7); P=0.03] were independent risk factors associated with PH. Moreover, the presence of a moderate-severe mitral regurgitation and a duration of disease greater than 3 years, were independent predictors of out of proportion and severe PH.