ultrasound

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) can be a quick and noninvasive modality to confirm a concerning pathology like type B aortic dissection. As a CVICU intensivist, I often receive transfers for “aortic dissection” from other hospitals...

Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is a degenerative process that affects the fibrous ring around the mitral valve and is thought to be caused by chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and altered calcium metabolism. Although often...

I've performed countless subclavian central line placements using anatomic landmarks; however, more recently, I'm preferentially utilizing ultrasound to cannula the vein from an infraclavicular approach. Because of the proximity of the clavicle to the subclavian...

Suprasternal ultrasound imaging of the aortic arch permits visualization of the great vessels in addition to the aortic arch's diameter, presence of pathology (e.g., aneurysm, dissection flap), and retrograde flow as seen with aortic...

Gastric ultrasound is a non-invasive, fast, bedside imaging technique that can estimate gastric volume. Placing a curvilinear ultrasound probe (oriented cephalad-caudad) in the epigastric region shows the gastric antrum (A) adjacent to the left...

Sulfur hexafluoride (Lumason) is a medical contrast agent used for ultrasound imaging. It is a clear, colorless, and odorless liquid that is injected into the bloodstream, where it forms tiny bubbles that reflect ultrasound...

Libman-Sacks endocarditis (LSE) is a nonbacterial endocarditis associated with lupus, malignancy, and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome characterized by endothelial injury and immune complex deposition typically on left-heart valves (mitral > aortic) causing inflammation and scarring. Unfortunately,...

With a pneumothorax (PTX), air separates the visceral and parietal pleura layers located on the lung's outside surface and inner chest wall, respectively. The absence of pleural sliding on ultrasonography can suggest PTX, but...