Ebook: Emergency Echocardiography

Echocardiography is the most versatile cardiac imaging technology readily available at the patient's bedside. Its superb diagnostic ability relates to the potential to identify any hemodynamic condition and cardiac pathology that implies a morphologic and/or a flow pattern change. Because the machines themselves are small, portable and powerful and reporting can be swift and revealing, echocardiography is an essential part of the diagnostic strategy when dealing with critically ill patients.

Emergency Echocardiography is a step-by-step guide for cardiologists, intensivists, emergency room doctors and sonographers faced with critically ill patients in whom major therapeutic decisions could depend on the information provided by timely and accurate examination. It includes both specific cardiology topics, such as aortic pathology, valvular emergencies, mechanical complications of myocardial infarction or tamponade, and general intensive care situations, such as pulmonary embolism, resuscitation, sepsis and the need for filling status assessment. In doing so, it addresses the practical needs of cardiology trainees and of intensivists faced with the increased use of echocardiography in an acute care setting.

Echocardiography is still relatively underused in the management of critically ill and hemodynamically unstable patients. There is a definite trend for favoring echocardiography over invasive assessment in intensive care units, however, clear guidelines are lacking. The author's experience over the last few years reinforced the importance of a book covering this topic. The basis for the creation this book was the fruit of teaching sessions and ward rounds during which the interest and receptiveness for this topic were obvious.