Role of point-of-care ultrasound during the COVID-19 pandemic: our recommendations in the management of dialytic patients.

COVID-19 is a viral disease due to the infection of the novel Corona virus SARS-CoV-2, that has rapidly spread in many countries until the World Health Organization declared the pandemic from March 11, 2020. Elderly patients and those affected by hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and chronic pulmonary and cardiovascular conditions are more susceptible to present more severe forms of COVID-19. These conditions are often represented in dialytic renal end-stage patients. Moreover, dialysis patients are more vulnerable to infection due to suppression of the immune system. Growing evidences, although still supported by few publications, are showing the potential utility of ultrasound in patients with COVID-19. In this review, we share our experience in using point-of-care ultrasound, particularly lung ultrasound, to indicate the probability of COVID-19 in patients with end-stage renal disease treated by hemodialysis. We also propose recommendations for the application of lung ultrasound, focused echocardiography and inferior vena cava ultrasound in the management of patients in hemodialysis.

Use of artisanal simulators in the ultrasound training for invasive procedures in nephrology: venous access and renal biopsy.

INTRODUCTION: Vascular access and renal biopsy are common procedures in nephrology. In this study, two artisanal simulators of very low cost and excelent image quality are (prented) presented to guide, by ultrasound, the venous access and renal biopsy. METHODS: The simulators are constructed using chicken breast slices, Penrose drain, plastic milk shake straw and pig kidney. RESULTS: Both simulators enable immediate identification of the anatomical structures of interest, vessels and kidney, and enable spatial orientation and hand-eye coordination, essential for the development of the necessary skills to safely carry out invasive procedures. CONCLUSION: The simulators described, were extremely useful for simulating venous access and renal biopsy guided by ultrasonography, enabling training to reduce the failure rate in punctures and the potential complications associated with the described procedures.

Point-of-care ultrasound evaluation and puncture simulation of the internal jugular vein by medical students.

OBJECTIVES: To show that medical students can evaluate the internal jugular vein (IJV) and its anatomical variations after rapid and focused training. We also aimed to evaluate the success rate of IJV puncture in simulation following traditional techniques (TTs) and monitored via ultrasound (US). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six medical students without experience with US were given 4 h of theoretical-practical training in US, and then evaluated the IJV and common carotid artery (CCA) of 105 patients. They also simulated a puncture of the IJV at a demarcated point, where a TT was theoretically performed. RESULTS: Adequate images were obtained from 95% of the patients; the IJV, on the right side, was more commonly found in the anterolateral position in relation to the CCA (38%). On the left side, the most commonly position observed was the anterior (36%). The caliber of the IJV relative to the CCA greatly varied. The success rate in the IJV puncture simulation, observed with US, by the TTs was 55%. CONCLUSION: The training of medical students to recognize large neck vessels is a simple, quick, and feasible task and that can be integrated into the undergraduate medical curriculum.

Avaliação ultrassonográfica de variações anatômicas entre vasos femorais realizada por estudantes de medicina / Ultrasonographic evaluation of anatomical variations in femoral vessels done by medical students

Introdução: A punção venosa central é um procedimento médico tradicionalmente realizado seguindo os marcadores anatômicos como referência para atingir o vaso, às cegas. No entanto, nem sempre o sucesso nessa técnica é alcançado, fato que se deve principalmente às variações anatômicas. A ultrassonografia point of care (US-POC) é utilizada para auxiliar a cateterização central por visualização direta do vaso, aumentando a segurança do procedimento. Objetivo: Avaliar a prevalência das variações anatômicas de vasos femorais através da utilização da US-POC por estudantes de medicina submetidos a curto período de treinamento. Material e Métodos: Cinco estudantes de medicina, sem experiência prévia em US-POC, foram submetidos a oito horas de treinamento teórico-prático. Foram avaliados os vasos femorais de cem voluntários. Resultados: A veia femoral direita foi encontrada mais frequentemente na posição medial (43%) em relação à artéria femoral direita. À esquerda, a posição posteromedial foi a mais observada (45%).Conclusão: A técnica tradicional de punção de acesso central se baseia em marcadores anatômicos e não leva em consideração as variações anatômicas existentes. Um treinamento de curto período para uso da US-POC é capaz de capacitar o profissional para reconhecer o posicionamento real dos vasos e evitar punções inadvertidas.

Introduction: Central vein puncture is a medical procedure traditionally done following anatomical landmarks as a reference to successfully achieving the vessel. However, this traditional technique is commonly unsuccessful due to anatomical variations that may be found. Point of care ultrasonography (POC-US) is used to assist central catheterization by directly visualizing the vessel, increasing procedure security and minimizing risks. Objective: Evaluate anatomical variations prevalence in femoral vessels, utilizing POC-US, done by medical students submitted to a short period of time training in ultrasonography. Material and Methods: Five medical students, without previous experience on the use of ultrasonography, were submitted to an eight-hour theorical practical training in POC-US. The students evaluated one hundred femoral vessels of volunteers. Results: The right limb femoral vein was found more frequently in the medial position (43%) in comparison to the right limb femoral artery. On the left limb, the posteromedial position was the most found (45%). Conclusion: The insertion of a central catheter following the traditional technique is based on anatomical landmarks, and does not take into account existing anatomical variations. With a short period of training, POC-US is capable of qualifying professionals to acknowledge the real location of the vessel and avoid inadvertent punctures and complications.

Uso da ultrassonografia "point-of-care" na prática nefrológica: Transpondo os limites do trato urinário / Point-of-care ultrasound in the nephrological practice: Beyond the limits of the urinary tract

Introdução: O modelo tradicional de referenciamento ao radiologista para a realização de ultrassonografia ou ecografia tem se modificado nos últimos 25 anos. Com a diminuição do tamanho e do custo dos aparelhos de ultrassom (hoje já existem mais de 10 unidades "handheld" no mercado), cada vez mais médicos de diferentes especialidades estão utilizando a ultrassonografia a beira do leito, como extensão do exame físico. Objetivo: Destacar a importância do uso da ultrassonografia a beira do leito na avaliação objetiva e ampliada dos pacientes renais. Materiais e Métodos:Revisão narrativa com seleção dos estudos e a interpretação das informações baseados na escolha arbitrária dos autores. Resultados: Na nefrologia, a ecografia ainda tem sido pouco utilizada, sendo o seu maior uso na identificação renal e venosa quando da realização da biópsia renal e do acesso vascular, respectivamente. Contudo, o papel fundamental dos rins no controle da volemia e da pressão arterial, eventualmente quando se tornam disfuncionais, demanda avaliações multiorgânicas. Assim, a utilização da ultrassonografia na nefrologia não deveria se restringir aos procedimentos mencionados ou a avaliação da retenção urinária. As ecografias "focadas" dos pulmões, do coração e da veia cava inferior permite o diagnóstico de complicações frequentes observadas nas doenças renais, como por exemplo, congestão pulmonar, derrame pleural, pneumotórax, disfunção sistólica, diastólica, derrame pericárdico e, assim, incorporadas como extensão do exame físico em nefrologia. Conclusão: A multifuncionalidade renal implica em grande número de complicações renais e extra-renais quando os rins são funcionalmente acometidos, o que justifica o uso da POCUS não somente na avaliação do trato urinário, mas também dos pulmões, coração, veia cava inferior, entre outros.

Introduction: The traditional model of reference ultrasound to radiologist has changed over the past 25 years. With the reductions in size and cost of ultrasound devices (today there are more than 10 handheld units on the market), medical specialists are increasingly using bedside ultrasound as an extension of the physical examination. Objective:To highlight the importance of using bedside ultrasound in the objective and expanded evaluation of renal patients. Material and Methods: Narrative review with study selection and interpretation of information based on arbitrary choice of authors. Results: In nephrology, ultrasound has not been widely used, and its major uses are in renal and venous identifications in renal biopsy and vascular access, respectively. However, the fundamental role of the kidneys in controlling body volume and blood pressure, eventually when they become dysfunctional, requires multiorgan evaluations. Thus, the use of ultrasound in nephrology should not be restricted to the procedures mentioned or the assessment of urinary retention. "Focused" ultrasound of the lungs, heart, and inferior vena cava allows the diagnosis of frequent complications observed in renal diseases, such as pulmonary congestion, pleural effusion, pneumothorax, systolic and diastolic dysfunction, pericardial effusion, and thus be incorporated as extension of physical examination in nephrology. In the present review, the authors highlight the importance of using bedside ultrasound in the objective and expanded evaluation of renal patients. Conclusion: Renal multifunctionality implies a large number of renal and extrarenal complications when the kidneys are functionally affected, which justifies the use of POCUS not only in the evaluation of the urinary tract, but also in the lungs, heart, inferior vena cava, among others.

Use of artisanal simulators in the ultrasound training for invasive procedures in nephrology: venous access and renal biopsy / Utilização de simuladores artesanais no treinamento ultrassonográfico de procedimentos invasivos em nefrologia: acesso venoso e biópsia renal

ABSTRACT Introduction: Vascular access and renal biopsy are common procedures in nephrology. In this study, two artisanal simulators of very low cost and excelent image quality are (prented) presented to guide, by ultrasound, the venous access and renal biopsy. Methods: The simulators are constructed using chicken breast slices, Penrose drain, plastic milk shake straw and pig kidney. Results: Both simulators enable immediate identification of the anatomical structures of interest, vessels and kidney, and enable spatial orientation and hand-eye coordination, essential for the development of the necessary skills to safely carry out invasive procedures. Conclusion: The simulators described, were extremely useful for simulating venous access and renal biopsy guided by ultrasonography, enabling training to reduce the failure rate in punctures and the potential complications associated with the described procedures.

RESUMO Introdução: O acesso vascular e a biópsia renal são procedimentos comuns na prática nefrológica. Neste estudo, são apresentados dois simuladores artesanais de baixo custo e excelente qualidade de imagem para guiar, ultrassonograficamente, o acesso venoso e a biópsia renal. Métodos: Os simuladores são construídos utilizando fatias de peito de frango, dreno de Penrose, canudo plástico milk shake e rim de porco. Resultados: Ambos os simuladores permitem a identificação imediata das estruturas anatômicas de interesse, vasos e rim, e possibilitam a orientação espacial e coordenação olho-mão, essenciais para o desenvolvimento das habilidades necessárias para realizar seguramente procedimentos invasivos. Conclusão: Os simuladores descritos, extremamente úteis para as simulações do acesso venoso e a biópsia renal guiados por ultrassonografia, possibilitam o treinamento objetivando a redução do insucesso das punções e das complicações potenciais associadas aos procedimentos descritos.