2. Case of the month: FELS Right heart failure

Dr Chris Harrington (FACEM)  presents 2 cases for this month.  Both demonstrate the importance of ECHO in the context of the deteriorating patient with heart failure. A 48F is referred to the Emergency department by her cardiologist with exacerbation of right heart failure and rapid AF PHx aortic valve repair (for congenital aortic stenosis) severe Read more about 2. Case of the month: FELS Right heart failure[…]

1. Case of the month: Focussed Echo in Life Support(FELS)

(Case and images courtesy of Jay Perera, text Jay Perera and Genevieve Carbonatto) Triage: 30F presents with 2/7 of worsening palpitations, worse post Salbutamol. She has a history  of PTSD and anxiety. HR 78 regular. Further history: 3 years of fatigue and lethargy Complains of intermittent palpitations and dyspnoea. Trialled on Salbutamol by her GP Read more about 1. Case of the month: Focussed Echo in Life Support(FELS)[…]

Pseudoaneurysm

Images James Dent An 80 year old had an unsuccessful cannulation for a CT scan. 4 days later she presented with bruising and tenderness of the left antecubital fossa  and a palpable pulsating mass. This is the US of the area B mode sonography shows a large pseudoaneurysm . The aneurysm is connected to the Read more about Pseudoaneurysm[…]

Lung Ultrasound findings in COVID 19

Text Genevieve Carbonatto Specific examination ultrasound findings in COVID 19 are not unique to the disease. Lung findings include  pleural line irregularities, pleural thickening, B lines and consolidations. What is striking is the remarkably similar  distribution of lung  pathology from patient to patient. The posterolateral areas are generally affected first bilaterally and then the disease Read more about Lung Ultrasound findings in COVID 19[…]

Features of lung ultrasound in COVID 19 infection

Text Genevieve Carbonatto Literature is coming out on the lung ultrasonography of novel coronavirus. This is a summary of the literature so far The features of lung ultrasound are not specific for COVID 19 pneumonitis or pneumonia but highly suggestive in patients presenting with a history suggestive of  infection with novel coronavirus Lung ultrasound is Read more about Features of lung ultrasound in COVID 19 infection[…]

Causes of Aortic Stenosis

Kathryn Statham Aortic stenosis It is the most common valvular heart disease in developed countries It’s prevalence is increasing with our ageing population It is found in 3% of patients > 75 yrs It is the most common valve disease requiring surgical intervention in developed countries. TAVI is increasingly the treatment of choice for severe Read more about Causes of Aortic Stenosis[…]

Assessment of aortic regurgitation

Kathryn Statham, Genevieve Carbonatto AR is rarely physiological. If it is present then a cause needs to be found. ECHO is used to determine Aetiology Estimate  severity Assess chronicity This is done first by imaging the heart with 2D echo and looking at: valves aortic root size LV cavity size (chronic vs acute) LV wall Read more about Assessment of aortic regurgitation[…]

Aortopathy – Aortic root dilatation

Images Ava Ghalini text Genevieve Carbonatto A patient is referred by his GP to the Emergency Department for episodes of exertional upper chest pain over a period of 2 weeks. A troponin organised by his GP was 28. On arrival he is asymptomatic. BP 180/80, HR 100/min. A systolic and loud diastolic murmur is audible Read more about Aortopathy – Aortic root dilatation[…]

Ruptured ectopic, pseudosac

Images Bashir Chakar, text Genevieve Carbonatto A 36 year old lady presents with sudden onset of  right lower quadrant pain lasting 20 minutes. One hour later she experiences further abdominal pain prompting her presentation to the Emergency Department.  She has had 2 positive home pregnancy tests. On examination she is minimally tender in her right Read more about Ruptured ectopic, pseudosac[…]