The Bottom Line on Point-of-Care Echocardiography
Why learn?
Bedside focused echocardiography of a critically ill patient is becoming a core skill of any acute specialty. Real-time visualisation and assessment of cardiac anatomy and function is invaluable. If you regularly manage and resuscitate critically ill patients, you need to learn to perform basic echocardiography.
Limitations/Challenges
- Access to training programmes/trainers variable
- Maintaining competencies and skills after course/accreditation programme may be challenging
- It can be as simple or as complicated as you want. Do not exceed your competencies! Most focused echocardiography examination DO NOT include studies on diastolic function of the heart.
