Emergency Department Cardiac Ultrasound

Bedside cardiac ultrasound is performed regularly in the emergency department to assess
patients who present with undifferentiated chest pain or shortness of breath. Utility of
cardiac ultrasound in this setting is emerging as standard of care. Cardiac ultrasound can
rapidly provide essential information about the presence or absence of multiple
cardiopulmonary pathologies. Cardiac ultrasound is safe, immediately accessible, and gives
providers data regarding their patients in real-time.

While cardiac ultrasound is common practice in emergency departments, the diagnostic utility
of this test has been difficult to study. There are few studies in the literature that
describe its utility in evaluating specific diagnoses. These studies have evaluated the use
of cardiac ultrasound in diagnosing acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema, aortic
dilation/aneurysm, acute coronary syndrome, and acute heart failure.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the utility of cardiac ultrasound in patients who
present to the emergency department with undifferentiated chest pain or shortness of breath.
This study will evaluate several parameters including how the cardiac ultrasound contributes
to provider's management plan and assessment of the patient's diagnosis.

This is a prospective observational study design. The investigators will prospectively
enroll eligible consecutive patients who present to the emergency department with
undifferentiated chest pain or shortness of breath. Patients will be included if a provider
has ordered (or is planning on ordering) a cardiac ultrasound as part of the patient's
diagnostic workup. Research associates will screen for these two chief complaints and will
then approach the ED provider and ask if they ordered or are planning to order a cardiac
ultrasound. ED providers may also contact research associates to enroll patients that meet
the study criteria.

Pre-ultrasound assessment: After eligibility is determined, a research associate will
approach the provider directly involved in the patient's care (Resident or Staff). The
provider completing the data collection forms does not need to be the provider who ordered
or performed the ultrasound. The provider completing the forms will be an Emergency Medicine
2nd year level resident or above. The provider filling out the data collection form will
fill out the pre-ultrasound assessment prior to reviewing the cardiac ultrasound images
(either in real-time or on the computer after the ultrasound is completed). The provider
will fill out a data collection form that asks about the most likely diagnosis, expected
ultrasound findings, and current management plan.

After the ultrasound is completed the same provider will be asked about the most likely
diagnosis, observed ultrasound findings, and any new management changes.

Other clinical data that will be collected will include demographic data, vital signs,
relevant co-morbidities, imaging results, and lab results from the emergency department
visit.

Inclusion Criteria:

- ED patients with a chief complaint of chest pain or shortness of breath

- Cardiac Ultrasound ordered by provider as part of diagnostic workup

Exclusion Criteria:

- All providers have already reviewed the ultrasound images (unable to obtained pre-
ultrasound assessment)

- Age < 18

- Known to be pregnant