Point of care ultrasound has revolutionised the practice of medicine and spread to all specialties. It is no longer only a consultative procedure performed by radiologists. Emergency medicine physicians, intensivists, cardiologists, obstetricians, and others have used the technology to more efficiently diagnose and safely perform procedures for over 20 years now.

by Dr Matt Dawson and Dr Mike Mallin

It is now a required part of training for all emergency medicine residencies by Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and is listed as a skill integral to the practice of emergency medicine in the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) Model of Clinical Practice of Emergency Medicine [1,2]. It is used in life-saving procedures such as peri-cardiocentesis, and in more routine procedures such as vascular access, thoracentesis, and paracentesis to improve efficiency and decrease complications.

Rapid ultrasound in shock and hypotension
Perhaps even more important than the benefit of improved procedural accuracy and safety is the improved speed at which it allows physicians to diagnose life-threatening conditions. A great example of this is the Rapid Ultrasound in Shock and Hypotension exam. In this exam, a physician can quickly and efficiently diagnose time-sensitive, life-threatening diseases such as pneumothorax, pericardial tamponade, cardiogenic shock, hypovolemia, intra-abdominal bleeding, and aortic aneurysm or dissection [3]. These diseases

In this interview, we talk to an expert in the field of cardiac surgery about the development and evolution of technology regarding angiograhy systems and the impact on the operating room, whether conventional or hybrid. Georg Nollert, Professor in Cardiac Surgery and Executive, Director of AX Global Marketing Operating Room, Siemens, shares his views regarding the future of this technology.

Q. How does a state-of-the-art angiography system help the surgeon when operating on a patient?
When you are operating, you are rather

The number of peer-reviewed papers covering the field of ultrasound is huge, to such an extent that it is frequently difficult for healthcare professionals to keep up with the literature. As a special service to our readers, International Hospital presents a few key literature abstracts from the clinical and scientific literature chosen by our editorial board as being particularly worthy of attention.