title: Assessment of left ventricular function by GPs using pocket-sized ultrasound.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Assessment of left ventricular (LV) function with echocardiography is mandatory in patients with suspected heart failure (HF).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate if GPs were able to evaluate the LV function in patients at risk of developing or with established HF by using pocket-sized ultrasound (pUS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Feasibility study in general practice, seven GPs in three different Norwegian primary care centres participated. Ninety-two patients with reduced or at risk of developing reduced LV function were examined by their own GP using pUS. The scan (<5 minute) was done as part of a routine appointment. A cardiologist examined the patients <30 minutes afterwards with both a laptop scanner and pUS. Measurements of the septal mitral annular excursion (sMAE) were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 87% of the patients, the GPs were able to obtain a standard view and measure the sMAE. There was a non-significant mean difference in sMAE between GP pUS and cardiologist laptop scanner of -0.15 mm 95% confidence interval (-0.60 to 0.30) mm. A comparison of the pUS recordings and measurements of sMAE made by GP versus cardiologist revealed a non-significant mean difference with acceptable 95% limits of agreement (-0.26 ± 3.02 mm).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With tailored training, GPs were able to assess LV function with sMAE and pUS. pUS, as a supplement to the physical examination, may become an important tool in general practice.
authors.affiliation: MI Laboratory, Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway. ole.c.mjolstad@ntnu.no
authors.forename: Ole Christian
authors.initials: OC
authors.lastname: Mjølstad
authors.forename: Sten Roar
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Snare
authors.forename: Lasse
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Folkvord
authors.forename: Frode
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Helland
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grimsmo
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Torp
authors.forename: Olav
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Haraldseth
authors.forename: Bjørn Olav
authors.initials: BO
authors.lastname: Haugen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D058006:General Practice / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D011320:Primary Health Care; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000295:instrumentation*; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*