Basic-targeted echocardiography for neonatologists: a trainee’s perspective

Abstract

Targeted echocardiography has been promoted by neonatologists in recent years but some aspects of its efficacy remain unexplored. We carried out a survey among trainees of targeted echocardiography courses in order to describe their professional characteristics and abilities. Thirty-eight former trainees were included in the survey. Seventy-six percent were experienced neonatologists and 84% practiced other bedside ultrasound diagnostics. Respondents practiced all major indications of targeted echocardiography, with a variable degree of interaction with available Cardiology services. For all but one indications, less than half of the participants use it independently of a pediatric cardiologist support, with percentages varied between 2% (for use of inhaled nitric oxide) and 53% (to assess myocardial contractility). When planning a standard of education and evaluation of targeted echocardiography, a careful consideration of the profile of the final utilizer is an invaluable piece of information.

Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) in Canadian neonatal intensive care units (NICUs): where are we?

“…Acquiring the full spectrum of POCUS skills including TnEcho might not be feasible within the 2-year NPM fellowship program. As reported by Raimondi et al having prior experience with POCUS will definitely strengthen the ability to learn TnEcho skills and apply them to comprehensively assess the sick infants in the NICUs [23]. Achieving full POCUS expertise takes time and dedication.…”

Evaluation of the Hypotensive Preterm Infant: Evidence-Based Practice at the Bedside?

“…TNE is not designed to replace the expertise of paediatric cardiology; in trained hands, it can add real-time, accurate haemodynamic information to aid clinical management. A number of expert consensus statements encourage the development of a framework for the implementation of standard echocardiography assessment and reinforce the necessity of structured training [ 40 , 41 ], and its inclusion in neonatal training programs has been advocated [ 42 , 43 ]. Given the dynamic nature of cardiac ultrasound, and considering the technical challenges in premature newborns, there is potential for great inter-observer variability and inaccuracy.…”

Utilisation of neonatologist‐performed echocardiography in shock among neonatologists with interest in haemodynamic: International survey

“…Neonatologist‐performed echocardiography (NPE) is now gaining significant interest in NICU daily practice and is recommended by experts internationally, 1–5 as it can provide anatomical and physiological information on the cardiovascular system in real time. It can help making early diagnosis of cardiac compromise allowing life‐saving treatment (cardiac tamponade and cardiac dysfunction), 6,7 identifying congenital heart disease (CHD), early enabling timely appropriate referral to specialist cardiac centre, avoiding harmful treatment in emergency situations (inhaled nitric oxide in total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage) and guiding treatment 8 .…”