Cardiac point‐of‐care ultrasound publication trends

Abstract

Introduction Cardiac point‐of‐care ultrasound (c‐POCUS) is an increasingly implemented diagnostic tool with the potential to guide clinical management. We sought to characterize and analyze the existing c‐POCUS literature with a focus on the temporal trends and differences across specialties. Methods A literature search for c‐POCUS and related terms was conducted using Ovid (MEDLINE and Embase) and Web of Science databases through 2020. Eligible publications were classified by publication type and topic, author specialty, geographical region of senior author, and journal specialty. Results The initial search produced 1761 potential publications. A strict definition of c‐POCUS yielded a final total of 574 cardiac POCUS manuscripts. A yearly increase in c‐POCUS publications was observed. Nearly half of publications were original research (48.8%) followed by case report or series (22.8%). Most publications had an emergency medicine senior author (38.5%), followed by cardiology (20.8%), anesthesiology (12.5%), and critical care (12.5%). The proportion authored by emergency medicine and cardiologists has decreased over time while those by anesthesiology and critical care has generally increased, particularly over the last decade. First authorship demonstrated a similar trend. Articles were published in emergency medicine (24.4%) and cardiology journals (20.5%) with comparable frequency. Conclusion The annual number of c‐POCUS publications has steadily increased over time, reflecting the increased recognition and utilization of c‐POCUS. This study can help inform clinicians of the current state of c‐POCUS and augment the discussion surrounding barriers to continued adoption across all specialties.

Cardiac metastasis mimicking STEMI—impact of point-of-care ultrasound on clinical decision-making: A case report

“…In the literature, the number of cardiac POCUS publication has increased yearly. The proportion of emergency medicine and cardiology authors were 38.5% and 20.8%, respectively, decreased over the last decade, while those of anesthesiology and critical care have increased ( 31 ). In our patient cardiac POCUS changed the diagnosis and the management strategy.…”

Novel quality assessment methodology in focused cardiac ultrasound

“…Stephanie DeMasi MD 1 Lindsay A. Taylor MD 1 Adam Weltler MD 1 John C. Wiggins MD 1 Jacob Wayman MD 1 Chen Wang MS 2 David P. Evans MD 1 Jessica R. Balderston MD 1…”

“…Cardiac point‐of‐care ultrasound (POCUS) has become a fundamental component of the evaluation of patients in the emergency department (ED) to diagnose cardiac pathology. 1 Quality assessment (QA) is one of the six required elements of diagnostic POCUS examinations per the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). 2 QA is routinely performed to ensure standard of patient care is met and to assess for competency, particularly at the trainee level.…”