The importance of concomitant mitral regurgitation for estimates of mitral valve area by pressure half time in patients with chronic rheumatic heart disease.

AIMS: Aim was to study how concomitant mitral regurgitation (MR) assessed by qualitative and quantitative methods influence mitral valve area (MVA) calculations by the pressure half time method (MVAPHT) compared to reference MVA (planimetry) in patients with rheumatic heart disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 72 patients with chronic rheumatic heart disease, MVAPHT was calculated as 220 divided by the pressure half time of the mitral early inflow Doppler spectrum. Direct measurement by planimetry was used as reference MVA and was mean (SD) 0.99 (0.69-1.99) cm2. Concomitant MR was present in 82%. MR severity was assessed qualitatively in all, semi-quantitatively by measuring the vena contracta width in 58 (81%), and quantitatively by calculation of the regurgitant volume in 28 (39%). MVA was significantly underestimated by MVAPHT, with increasing MR. In regression analyses MVAPHT underestimated MVA by 0.19 cm2 per higher grade of MR severity in qualitative assessment, and by 0.12-0.13 cm2 per mm larger vena contracta width and 10 ml larger regurgitant volume, respectively. The presented associations were more evident when i) MR severity was quantified compared to qualitative assessment and ii) reference measurements were made by three-dimensional transoesophageal recordings compared to transthoracic recordings. CONCLUSION: MVAPHT underestimated mitral valve area compared to planimetry in patients with MS and concomitant MR. This study highlights the importance of taking the MR severity into account when evaluating MVA based on the PHT method. Direct measurements should be included in clinical decision making.

Clinical Influence of Handheld Ultrasound, Supported by Automatic Quantification and Telemedicine, in Suspected Heart Failure.

Early and correct heart failure (HF) diagnosis is essential to improvement of patient care. We aimed to evaluate the clinical influence of handheld ultrasound device (HUD) examinations by general practitioners (GPs) in patients with suspected HF with or without the use of automatic measurement of left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (autoEF), mitral annular plane systolic excursion (autoMAPSE) and telemedical support. Five GPs with limited ultrasound experience examined 166 patients with suspected HF (median interquartile range = 70 (63-78) y; mean ± SD EF = 53 ± 10%). They first performed a clinical examination. Second, they added an examination with HUD, automatic quantification tools and, finally, telemedical support by an external cardiologist. At all stages, the GPs considered whether the patients had HF. The final diagnosis was made by one of five cardiologists using medical history and clinical evaluation including a standard echocardiography. Compared with the cardiologists' decision, the GPs correctly classified 54% by clinical evaluation. The proportion increased to 71% after adding HUDs, and to 74 % after telemedical evaluation. Net reclassification improvement was highest for HUD with telemedicine. There was no significant benefit of the automatic tools (p ≥ 0.58). Addition of HUD and telemedicine improved the GPs' diagnostic precision in suspected HF. Automatic LV quantification added no benefit. Refined algorithms and more training may be needed before inexperienced users benefit from automatic quantification of cardiac function by HUDs.

Real-time automatic quantification of left ventricular function by hand-held ultrasound devices in patients with suspected heart failure: a feasibility study of a diagnostic test with data from general practitioners, nurses and cardiologists.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the feasibility and reliability of hand-held ultrasound (HUD) examinations with real-time automatic decision-making software for ejection fraction (autoEF) and mitral annular plane systolic excursion (autoMAPSE) by novices (general practitioners), intermediate users (registered cardiac nurses) and expert users (cardiologists), respectively, compared to reference echocardiography by cardiologists in an outpatient cohort with suspected heart failure (HF). DESIGN: Feasibility study of a diagnostic test. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: 166 patients with suspected HF underwent HUD examinations with autoEF and autoMAPSE measurements by five novices, three intermediate-skilled users and five experts. HUD results were compared with a reference echocardiography by experts. A blinded cardiologist scored all HUD recordings with automatic measurements as (1) discard, (2) accept, but adjust the measurement or (3) accept the measurement as it is. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE: The feasibility of automatic decision-making software for quantification of left ventricular function. RESULTS: The users were able to run autoEF and autoMAPSE in most patients. The feasibility for obtaining accepted images (score of ≥2) with automatic measurements ranged from 50% to 91%. The feasibility was lowest for novices and highest for experts for both autoEF and autoMAPSE (p≤0.001). Large coefficients of variation and wide coefficients of repeatability indicate moderate agreement. The corresponding intraclass correlations (ICC) were moderate to good (ICC 0.51-0.85) for intra-rater and poor (ICC 0.35-0.51) for inter-rater analyses. The findings of modest to poor agreement and reliability were not explained by the experience of the users alone. CONCLUSION: Novices, intermediate and expert users were able to record four-chamber views for automatic assessment of autoEF and autoMAPSE using HUD devices. The modest feasibility, agreement and reliability suggest this should not be implemented into clinical practice without further refinement and clinical evaluation. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03547076.

Complete embolization of a mechanical aortic valve during trail running-a case report with a lucky ending.

Background: Complete embolization of a prosthetic heart valve is extremely rare and dangerous. This case reports a total embolization of a mechanical aortic valve and contributes to the literature regarding the diagnostic challenges related to infective endocarditis and follow-up after valvular surgery. Case summary: A 28-year-old male 11.5 years status-post a mechanical aortic valve replacement presented with acute onset of chest pain and dyspnoea while jogging. The patient lost consciousness and went into cardiopulmonary arrest with acute pulmonary oedema and circulatory shock. An echocardiogram revealed an empty aortic annulus, and a chest radiograph showed an embolized valve in the aortic arch. The patient underwent emergent removal of the embolized valve and replacement with a new mechanical aortic valve. The patient survived with minimal sequelae. At a 3-month follow-up, he had resumed work, and the only sequelae were mild left ventricular dysfunction and minor vision loss. Although he experienced no warning signs or symptoms, the most likely aetiology for embolization of the valvular prosthesis was infective endocarditis, which was revealed by re-evaluation of an echocardiogram recorded 1 month before the presentation which demonstrated a subtle motion abnormality of the valve. Conclusions: We present a case of a late complete embolization of a mechanical aortic valve most likely caused by asymptomatic infective endocarditis. The case illustrates the challenges in follow-up after valvular surgery and highlights the ultimate benefit of a well-functioning pre-hospital to hospital chain.

Reliability and agreement of point-of-care carotid artery examinations by experts using hand-held ultrasound devices in patients with ischaemic stroke or transitory ischaemic attack.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the reliability and agreement of hand-held ultrasound devices (HUDs) compared with conventional duplex ultrasound (HIGH) in examination for carotid stenosis in patients with suspected transitory ischaemic attack (TIA) or ischaemic stroke. METHODS: Cardiologists, experienced in carotid ultrasound, examined patients admitted to a community hospital with suspected stroke or TIA. Patients were first examined by an HUD and second by HIGH as per usual care. Different operators performed HUD and HIGH blinded to each other. On clinical discretion, CT angiography (CTA) was performed, and analysed by a radiologist blinded to the results from the ultrasound. RESULTS: Of 80 patients included, 9 (11%) were found to have >50% internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis on reference examination. Agreement for classification of the degree of ICA stenosis was good for HUD versus HIGH (weighted Kappa 0.76) and HUD versus CTA (weighted Kappa 0.66). Agreement between HUD and HIGH examinations was excellent when ICA was classified as <50% diameter stenosis by HUD (99% agreement), but significantly lower when ICA diameter stenosis was classified as >50% by HUD (OR 0.15, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.42). Overall, HUD tended to overestimate the degree of carotid stenoses rather than underestimate (p=0.048). CONCLUSION: Hand-held carotid ultrasound performed by experts demonstrated good agreement with conventional duplex ultrasound. The use of HUDs was reliable for ruling out significant carotid artery disease, but less reliable for ruling in significant disease.

Measurement of high-sensitivity troponin-I in suspected coronary-related chest pain in Emergency Departments. / Høysensitiv troponin I-måling ved koronarsuspekte brystsmerter i akuttmottak.

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to evaluate a new algorithm based on analyses of high-sensitivity troponin I for rapid diagnostic clarification in cases of suspected cardiac chest pain. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Two time periods - before (01.10.2016-31.12.2016) and after (01.03.2017-28.02.2018) the introduction of a diagnostic algorithm - were studied by reviewing the medical records of patients who arrived at the emergency department with chest pain. The diagnostic algorithm included a high-sensitivity troponin I test on admission (0 hours) and one hour later (the 0 h/1 h algorithm). The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients that were discharged directly from the emergency department. Secondary endpoints were acute cardiac arrest and death within 30 days and within one year. RESULTS: A larger proportion of patients with chest pain were discharged directly from the emergency department when the 0 h/1 h algorithm was used (10/91 (11 %) before versus 118/306 (39 %) after, p <0.001). Deaths and the incidence of acute myocardial infarction one year after the introduction of the 0 h/1 h algorithm were low (≤ 3 %) and not statistically different from the period before the introduction (p≥ 0.20). INTERPRETATION: The implementation of a diagnostic algorithm based on measurements of high-sensitivity troponin I resulted in fewer patients being hospitalised, and we did not register more deaths or deaths from myocardial infarction. The algorithm was suitable for identifying patients with chest pain who could safely be discharged without the need for hospitalisation, which we believe may optimise patient flow in hospitals.

Feasibility and Clinical Impact of Point-of-Care Carotid Artery Examinations by Experts using Hand-Held Ultrasound Devices in Patients with Ischemic Stroke or Transitory Ischemic Attack.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility and clinical influence of carotid artery examinations in patients admitted with stroke or TIA with hand-held ultrasound by experts, to identify individuals not in need of further carotid artery diagnostics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cardiologists experienced in carotid ultrasound examined 80 patients admitted to a stroke unit with suspected stroke or TIA with hand-held ultrasound devices (HUD). Grey scale and color Doppler images were stored using a GE Vscan with dual probe (phased array and linear transducer). High-end triplex ultrasound performed by a cardiologist, blinded to the details of the HUD study, was performed in all patients and used as reference. Computer tomography angiography was performed when clinically indicated. RESULTS: Stroke or TIA was diagnosed in 62 (78%) patients. Age was median (range) 72 (23-93) years. A significant stenosis (> 50% diameter reduction) was ruled out in 61 (76%) of patients by the HUD examinations. Sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing a significant stenosis was 92% and 93%, respectively. One of 12 significant stenoses was missed by HUD. All four patients in need of surgery were identified by the HUD examination. Sensitivity and specificity to identify a significant stenosis by HUD was 87% and 83%, respectively, compared to CT angiography. CONCLUSION: HUD examinations of the carotid arteries by experts, using hand-held ultrasound devices, were feasible and may reduce the need for high-end diagnostic imaging of the carotid vessels in patients with stroke and TIA. Thus, HUD may improve diagnostic workflow in stroke units in the future.

Short-term outcome after open-heart surgery for severe chronic rheumatic heart disease in a low-income country, with comparison with an historical control group: an observational study.

OBJECTIVES: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a major burden in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). Cardiac surgery is the only curative treatment. Little is known about patients with severe chronic RHD operated in LMICs, and challenges regarding postoperative follow-up are an important issue. At Tikur Anbessa Specialised Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, we aimed to evaluate the course and 12-month outcome of patients with severe chronic RHD who received open-heart surgery, as compared with the natural course of controls waiting for surgery and undergoing only medical treatment. METHODS: Clinical data and outcome measures were registered in 46 patients operated during five missions from March 2016 to November 2019, and compared with the first-year course in a cohort of 49 controls from the same hospital's waiting list for surgery. Adverse events were death or complications such as stroke, other thromboembolic events, bleeding, hospitalisation for heart failure and infectious endocarditis. RESULTS: Survival at 12 months was 89% and survival free from complications was 80% in the surgical group. Despite undergoing open-heart surgery, with its inherent risks, outcome measures of the surgical group were non-inferior to the natural course of the control group in the first year after inclusion on the waiting list (p≥0.45). All except six surgical patients were in New York Heart Association class I after 12 months and 84% had resumed working. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac surgery for severe chronic RHD is feasible in LMICs if the service is structured and planned. Rates of survival and survival free from complications were similar to those of controls at 12 months. Functional level and resumption of work were high in the surgical group. Whether the patients who underwent cardiac surgery will have better long-term prognosis, in line with what is known in high-income countries, needs to be evaluated in future studies.

Feasibility and Accuracy of Tele-Echocardiography, With Examinations by Nurses and Interpretation by an Expert via Telemedicine, in an Outpatient Heart Failure Clinic.

OBJECTIVES: To study the feasibility and accuracy of focused echocardiography by nurses supported by near-real-time interpretation via telemedicine by an experienced cardiologist. METHODS: Fifty consecutive patients were included from an outpatient heart failure (HF) clinic. Limited echocardiography was performed by 1 of 3 specialized nurses. The echocardiograms were transferred by a secure transfer model for near-real-time interpretation to 1 out-of-hospital cardiologist, assessing, among others, the left ventricular (LV) internal diameter, end-diastolic volume, ejection fraction, left atrial (LA) indexed end-systolic volume, mitral early inflow velocity (E), the ratio of E to mitral late inflow, and the ratio of E to the mitral annular early diastolic velocity. The reference method was echocardiography by 1 of 4 experienced cardiologists. RESULTS: The median age of the population (46% women) was 79 (range, 33-95) years. The assessment and quantification of LA and LV dimensions, volumes, and functional indices were feasible in 94% or more via the telemedical approach. The agreement with reference measurements was very high by the telemedical approach. The mean duration ± SD of the complete telemedical approach from the start of echocardiography until the cardiologist's report was received by the caregiving nurse was 1.32 ± 0.36 (range, 1.58) hours. The correlations with reference to the above-specified indices were r = 0.75 to 0.94. CONCLUSIONS: Limited echocardiography by nurses in an outpatient heart failure clinic, supported by interpretation by an out-of-hospital cardiologist, was feasible and reliable. This may reduce geographic disparities and allow more patients to benefit from the advantages of implementing focused echocardiography by noncardiologists in diagnostics and follow-up.

Patient-reported outcomes and associations with pleural effusion in outpatients with heart failure: an observational cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to study whether patient-reported outcomes, measured by quality of life (QoL) and functional class, are sensitive to pleural effusion (PLE) in patients with heart failure (HF), and to study changes in QoL and functional class during follow-up of PLE. METHODS: A cohort of 62 patients from an outpatient HF clinic was included. The amount of PLE was quantified using a pocket-sized ultrasound imaging device. Self-reports of QoL and functional class were collected using the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) and the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification. RESULTS: At baseline, 26 (42%) patients had PLE of which 19 (31%) patients had moderate to severe amounts of PLE. Patients with no to mild PLE had a lower MLHFQ score (mean 42, SD 21) compared with patients with a moderate to severe amount of PLE (mean 55, SD 24), p=0.03. For 28 patients (45%) with follow-up data, we observed a linear improvement of the MLHFQ-score (3.2, 95% CI 1.2 to 5.1) with each centimetre reduction of PLE. Correspondingly, patient-reported NYHA-class followed the same pattern as the MLHFQ-score. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates that patient-reported outcome measures as MLHFQ may be sensitive tools to identify patients with HF at highest risk of symptomatic PLE and that treatment targeting reduction of PLE during follow-up is essential to improvement of QoL and functional capacity of outpatients with HF. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01794715; Results.

Feasibility and Diagnostic Accuracy of Point-of-Care Abdominal Sonography by Pocket-Sized Imaging Devices, Performed by Medical Residents.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to study the feasibility and diagnostic performance of bedside ultrasound by examination of the liver, gallbladder, kidneys, and abdominal aorta performed by medical residents with limited experience in ultrasound, on emergency admissions using pocket-sized imaging devices (PSIDs). METHODS: A total of 199 patients admitted acutely to the medical department at the non-university Levanger Hospital, Norway, during the period from April 4 to June 23, 2011, were consecutively included. Six medical residents, selected by drawing, examined these patients with a PSID at admission. Reference imaging was performed and/or judged at the Department of Radiology. RESULTS: Each resident performed a median of 28 examinations (interquartile range 24-46). Imaging of the kidneys and liver were feasible in 85 and 82% of the cases, and the corresponding values for the gallbladder and abdominal aorta were 79 and 50%, respectively. The sensitivity of medical residents to detect organ pathology with the aid of PSID, ranged between 54% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 29-77%) and 74% (95% CI: 51-88%). Assessment of the aortic dimension showed moderate correlation, with r = 0.38. CONCLUSIONS: Examination by PSID by inexperienced residents may allow for early detection of abdominal pathology, but do not appear to be accurate enough to rule out pathology in the abdominal organs.

Adding point of care ultrasound to assess volume status in heart failure patients in a nurse-led outpatient clinic. A randomised study.

OBJECTIVES: Medical history, physical examination and laboratory testing are not optimal for the assessment of volume status in heart failure (HF) patients. We aimed to study the clinical influence of focused ultrasound of the pleural cavities and inferior vena cava (IVC) performed by specialised nurses to assess volume status in HF patients at an outpatient clinic. METHODS: HF outpatients were prospectively included and underwent laboratory testing, history recording and clinical examination by two nurses with and without an ultrasound examination of the pleural cavities and IVC using a pocket-size imaging device, in random order. Each nurse worked in a team with a cardiologist. The influence of the different diagnostic tests on diuretic dosing was assessed descriptively and in linear regression analyses. RESULTS: Sixty-two patients were included and 119 examinations were performed. Mean±SD age was 74±12 years, EF was 34±14%, and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) value was 3761±3072 ng/L. Dosing of diuretics differed between the teams in 31 out of 119 consultations. Weight change and volume status assessed clinically with and without ultrasound predicted dose adjustment of diuretics at follow-up (p<0.05). Change of oedema, NT-proBNP, creatinine, and symptoms did not (p≥0.10). In adjusted analyses, only volume status based on ultrasound predicted dose adjustments of diuretics at first visit and follow-up (all ultrasound p≤0.01, all other p≥0.2). CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound examinations of the pleural cavities and IVC by nurses may improve diagnostics and patient care in HF patients at an outpatient clinic, but more studies are needed to determine whether these examinations have an impact on clinical outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01794715.

Diagnostic influence of routine point-of-care pocket-size ultrasound examinations performed by medical residents.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the potential benefit of adding goal-directed ultrasound examinations performed by on-call medical residents using a pocket-size imaging device in patients admitted to a medical department. METHODS: A total of 992 emergency admissions to the medical department at a nonuniversity hospital in Norway were included. Patients admitted on dates with an on-call medical resident randomized to use a pocket-size imaging device were eligible for pocket-size cardiac and abdominal ultrasound examinations or standard care. The cardiac examination included estimation of right and left ventricular sizes and global systolic function and regional left ventricular systolic function, evaluation for pleural and pericardial effusion, and valvular disease. The abdominal examination looked for signs of gross abnormalities of the liver, gallbladder, abdominal aorta, inferior vena cava, and urinary system. Six of 12 medical residents with limited ultrasound experience were randomized to perform the examinations. Diagnostic corrections were made, and findings were confirmed by reference standard diagnostics. RESULTS: A total of 199 patients were examined. Median times used were 5.7 minutes for the cardiac examination and 4.7 minutes for the abdominal examination. In 13 patients (6.5%), the examination resulted in a major change in the primary diagnosis. In 21 patients (10.5%), the diagnosis was verified, and in 48 (24.0%), an additional important diagnosis was made. CONCLUSIONS: By implementing pocket-size ultrasound examinations that took less than 11 minutes to the usual care, we corrected, verified, or added important diagnoses in more than 1 of 3 emergency medical admissions. Point-of-care examinations with a pocket-size imaging device increased medical residents' diagnostic accuracy and capability.

Focused ultrasound of the pleural cavities and the pericardium by nurses after cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to study the feasibility and reliability of focused ultrasound (US) examinations to quantify pericardial (PE)- and pleural effusion (PLE) by a pocket-size imaging device (PSID) performed by nurses in patients early after cardiac surgery. DESIGN: After a 3-month training period, with cardiologists as supervisors, two nurses examined 59 patients (20 women) with US using a PSID at a median of 5 days after cardiac surgery. The amount of PE and PLE was classified in four categories by US (both) and chest x-ray (PLE only). Echocardiography, including US of the pleural cavities, by experienced cardiologists was used as reference. RESULTS: Focused US by the nurses was more sensitive than x-ray to detect PLE. The correlations of the quantification of PE and PLE by the nurses and reference was r (95% confidence interval) 0.76 (0.46-0.89) and 0.81 (0.73-0.89), both p < 0.001. PE and PLE were drained in one and six (eight cavities) patients, all classified as large amount by the nurses. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac nurses were able to obtain reliable measurements and quantification of both PE and PLE bedside by focused US and outperform the commonly used chest x-ray regarding PLE after cardiac surgery.

Feasibility and reliability of pocket-size ultrasound examinations of the pleural cavities and vena cava inferior performed by nurses in an outpatient heart failure clinic.

BACKGROUND: Routine assessment of volume state by ultrasound may improve follow-up of heart failure patients. AIMS: We aimed to study the feasibility and reliability of focused pocket-size ultrasound examinations of the pleural cavities and the inferior vena cava performed by nurses to assess volume state at an outpatient heart failure clinic. METHODS: Ultrasound examinations were performed in 62 included heart failure patients by specialized nurses with a pocket-size imaging device (PSID). Patients were then re-examined by a cardiologist with a high-end scanner for reference within 1 h. Specialized nurses were able to obtain and interpret images from both pleural cavities and the inferior vena cava and estimate the volume status in all patients. RESULTS: Time consumption for focused ultrasound examination was median 5 min. In total 26 patients had any kind of pleural effusion (in 39 pleural cavities) by reference. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were high, all ≥ 92%. The correlations with reference were high for all measurements, all r ≥ 0.79. Coefficients of variation for end-expiratory dimension of inferior vena cava and quantification of pleural effusion were 10.8% and 12.7%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Specialized nurses were, after a dedicated training protocol, able to obtain reliable recordings of both pleural cavities and the inferior vena cava by PSID and interpret the images in a reliable way. Implementing focused ultrasound examinations to assess volume status by nurses in an outpatient heart failure clinic may improve diagnostics, and thus improve therapy.

Blood flow imaging in transesophageal echocardiography during atrial septal defect closure: a comparison with the current references.

BACKGROUND: Flow visualization before transcatheter atrial septal defect (ASD) closure is essential to identify the number and size of ASDs and to map the pulmonary veins (PV). Previous reports have shown improved visualization of ASD and PV using blood flow imaging (BFI), which supplements color Doppler imaging (CDI) with angle-independent information of flow direction. In this study, we compared transesophageal BFI with the current references in ASD sizing (balloon stretched diameter, BSD) and PV imaging (pulmonary angiography). METHODS: In this prospective study, 28 children were examined with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) including BFI of the secundum ASD and the PV before interventional ASD closure. The maximum ASD diameter measured with BFI by 4 observers was compared to the corresponding BSD and CDI measurements. The repeatability of the BFI measurements was calculated as the residual standard deviation. BFI of the PV was compared to PV angiography. RESULTS: The mean maximum diameter measured by BFI was 12.1 mm (±SD 2.4 mm). The corresponding BSD and CDI measurements were 15.9 mm (±SD 3.0 mm) and 11.8 mm (±SD 2.5 mm), respectively. The residual standard deviation was 1.2 mm. Compared to PV angiography, the sensitivity of BFI in detecting the correct entry of the PV was 0.96 (95% CI: 0.82-1.0). CONCLUSION: Transesohageal echocardiography with BFI of the PV agreed well with pulmonary angiography. BFI had lower estimates for ASD size than BSD, but with acceptable 95% limits of agreement. The repeatability of the BFI measurements was close to the inherent ultrasound measurement error.

Feasibility and reliability of point-of-care pocket-size echocardiography performed by medical residents.

AIMS: To study the feasibility and reliability of pocket-size hand-held echocardiography (PHHE) by medical residents with limited experience in ultrasound. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 199 patients admitted to a non-university medical department were examined with PHHE. Six out of 14 medical residents were randomized to use a focused protocol and examine the heart, pericardium, pleural space, and abdominal large vessels. Diagnostic corrections were made and findings were confirmed by standard diagnostics. The median time consumption for the examination was 5.7 min. Each resident performed a median of 27 examinations. The left ventricle was assessed to satisfaction in 97% and the pericardium in all patients. The aortic and atrioventricular valves were assessed in at least 76% and the abdominal aorta in 50%, respectively. Global left-ventricular function, pleural, and pericardial effusion showed very strong correlation with reference method (Spearman's r ≥ 0.8). Quantification of aortic stenosis and regurgitation showed strong correlation with r = 0.7. Regurgitations in the atrioventricular valves showed moderate correlations, r = 0.5 and r = 0.6 for mitral and tricuspid regurgitation, respectively, similar to dilatation of the left atrium (r = 0.6) and detection of regional dysfunction (r = 0.6). Quantification of the abdominal aorta (aneurysmatic or not) showed strong correlation, r = 0.7, while the inferior vena cava diameter correlated moderately, r = 0.5. CONCLUSION: By adding a PHHE examination to standard care, medical residents were able to obtain reliable information of important cardiovascular structures in patients admitted to a medical department. Thus, focused examinations with PHHE performed by residents after a training period have the potential to improve in-hospital diagnostic procedures.

Feasibility and clinical implementation of hand-held echocardiography.

Echocardiography is essential in the evaluation of patients with suspected or known cardiovascular disease. The development of pocket-size hand-held echocardiographic devices, suitable for a quick assessment of cardiac structures and function, has been shown to improve diagnostics and patient workflow. In the hands of experts, pocket-size machines capable of gray tone and color flow imaging offer high accuracy for the assessment of ventricular function, the detection of pericardial and pleural effusions and are suitable for semiquantitative evaluation of valvular function. The machines are also suitable for noncardiac imaging. Point-of-care echocardiography with pocket-size hand-held echocardiographic devices should be an integrated part of the physical examination of patients in many situations and will probably be performed by an increasing number of both experts and nonexperts as well. However, the benefit relies on the level of competence of the users and tailored training is needed to answer specific questions.

Routinely adding ultrasound examinations by pocket-sized ultrasound devices improves inpatient diagnostics in a medical department.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate the potential benefit of adding a routine cardiac and abdominal diagnostic examination by pocket-sized ultrasound device in patients admitted to a medical department. METHODS: A random sample of 196 patients admitted to the medical department at a non-university hospital in Norway between March and September 2010 was studied. The patients underwent cardiac and abdominal screening with a pocket-sized ultrasound device with B-mode and color flow imaging after a principal diagnosis was set. Three internists/cardiologists experienced in ultrasonography performed the examinations. Diagnostic corrections were made and findings were confirmed by high-end echocardiography and examinations at the radiologic department. RESULTS: 196 patients were included (male=56.6%, mean±SD; 68.1±15.0 years old). The time spent doing the ultrasound screening was mean±SD 4.3±1.6 min for the cardiac screening and 2.5±1.1 min for the abdominal screening. In 36 (18.4%) patients this examination resulted in a major change in the primary diagnosis. In 38 (19.4%) patients the diagnosis was verified and in 18 (9.2%) patients an important additional diagnosis was made. CONCLUSION: By adding a pocket-sized ultrasound examination of <10 min to usual care, we corrected the diagnosis in almost 1 of 5 patients admitted to a medical department, resulting in a completely different treatment strategy without delay in many of the patients. Routinely adding a cardiac and abdominal ultrasound screening has the potential to rearrange inpatients workflow and diagnosis.

Aerobic interval training increases peak oxygen uptake more than usual care exercise training in myocardial infarction patients: a randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: Exercise capacity strongly predicts survival and aerobic interval training (AIT) increases peak oxygen uptake effectively in cardiac patients. Usual care in Norway provides exercise training at the hospitals following myocardial infarction (MI), but the effect and actual intensity of these rehabilitation programmes are unknown. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Hospital cardiac rehabilitation. SUBJECTS: One hundred and seven patients, recruited two to 12 weeks after MI, were randomized to usual care rehabilitation or treadmill AIT. INTERVENTIONS: Usual care aerobic group exercise training or treadmill AIT as 4 × 4 minutes intervals at 85-95% of peak heart rate. Twice weekly exercise training for 12 weeks. MAIN MEASURES: The primary outcome measure was peak oxygen uptake. Secondary outcome measures were endothelial function, blood markers of cardiovascular disease, quality of life, resting heart rate, and heart rate recovery. RESULTS: Eighty-nine patients (74 men, 15 women, 57.4 ± 9.5 years) completed the programme. Peak oxygen uptake increased more (P = 0.002) after AIT (from 31.6 ± 5.8 to 36.2 ± 8.6 mL·kg(-1)·min(-1), P < 0.001) than after usual care rehabilitation (from 32.2 ± 6.7 to 34.7 ± 7.9 mL·kg(-1)·min(-1), P < 0.001). The AIT group exercised with significantly higher intensity in the intervals compared to the highest intensity in the usual care group (87.3 ± 3.9% versus 78.7 ± 7.2% of peak heart rate, respectively, P < 0.001). Both programmes increased endothelial function, serum adiponectin, and quality of life, and reduced serum ferritin and resting heart rate. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased only after AIT. CONCLUSIONS: AIT increased peak oxygen uptake more than the usual care rehabilitation provided to MI patients by Norwegian hospitals.