Emergency echocardiography: General considerations

Abstract

Emergency echocardiography is a comprehensive diagnostic ultrasound examination of the heart done by cardiologists or adequately trained non-cardiologists who are able to independently perform and interpret the study. It is challenging and highly demanding procedure that should be performed by an experienced operator. Acute chest pain, acute dyspnea, hemodynamic instability, new murmur, syncope, chest trauma, and cardiac arrest are the main clinical situations in which emergency echocardiography is required. There are recommended standards for ultrasound equipment, execution, documentation, and interpretation, as well as for education and training of physicians performing echocardiography in the emergency setting. © 2023 CRC Press.