Bedside echocardiography in chest trauma.
Bedside US has an established role in the evaluation of chest trauma patients. Transthoracic echocardiography and TEE can be used to obtain critical information at the bedside for many emergent conditions, including the immediate detection of hemopericardium and acute aortic injury. More recent work has demonstrated that US also can be used to detect hemothoraces and pneumothoraces with accuracy. These diagnostic techniques can improve patient outcome and are within the scope of practice of emergency physicians and trauma surgeons. Physicians caring for trauma patients should be familiar with these techniques.
Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, CA 90033, USA. mandavia@ucs.edu
Diku P
DP
Mandavia
Anthony
A
Joseph
D001011:Aorta / Q000293:injuries; D004452:Echocardiography; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006335:Heart Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006491:Hemothorax / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging