Cardiac POCUS - all known as Point-of-Care Echocardiography - is a huge topic and can be an incredible wealth of information. Basic topics such as LV function, RV size and function, basic valve evaluation, and pericardial effusion can be accessible to all learners; advanced topics like diastology, spectral doppler, and evaluation of stenotic valves require more extensive training. More so than most areas, cardiac scanning requires significant hands-on time to master image acquisition as well - so check out the resources below, and get scanning!
Obtaining basic cardiac views
Acquiring basic cardiac views
Join ubcimpocus fellow Dr. Ziran Meng as he walks through the 4 basic cardiac views and how to acquire and troubleshoot these images.
Parasternal long axis
How to achieve a proper PLAX view, from the fine folks at the University of Calgary.
Parasternal Short Axis
The PSAX view from the U of C.
Subcostal
From the University of Calgary.
Apical 4 Chamber
From the University of Calgary.
Optimizing cardiac views
Some useful tips on troubleshooting cardiac views from 5minSono.
LV Function
Basic LV function assessment
In this 16-minute video, our own Dr Katie Wiskar explains how to use Point-of-Care Ultrasound to estimate left ventricular systolic function; and also explores the evidence behind this technique.
Right Ventricular Assessment
Basic RV Assessment
In this 20-minute video from Dr. Katie Wiskar, learn how to assess the right ventricle with basic cardiac POCUS - including RV size, function, septal kinetics, and other markers of pathology.
Pericardial effusion
Pericardial effusions and tamponade
Learn how to use POCUS to evaluate pericardial effusions and detect cardiac tamponade in this 21-minute screencast from Dr. Katie Wiskar. This video covers basic 2D POCUS techniques for pericardial effusions; and also debunks some common myths surrounding tamponade.
Valvular pathology
Basic Valve Evaluation
In this 20-minute screencast, our own Dr Katie Wiskar reviews basic POCUS evaluation for valvular disease. This includes 2D evaluation for morphologic clues to diseases such as endocarditis and severe stenosis; and the use of colour Doppler to identify severe regurgitation.
Aortic stenosis vs sclerosis
This short tutorial from Dr Katie Wiskar covers how to use spectral Doppler interrogation to quickly and confidently distinguish between aortic stenosis and aortic sclerosis.
