The physicians evaluated the hearts of 97 patients using the Vscan pocket ultrasound device to visually assess various heart structures within a five-minute timeframe in order to simulate the length of time of a physical examination.
Vscan provided assessments of ejection fraction, a measurement of the heart pumping, and other measures for assessing heart health in patients.
Research showed that Vscan provided accurate assessments of ejection fraction, a measurement of how well the heart is pumping, and other measures for assessing heart health in patients.
Accuracy of interpretation of pocket ultrasound images was highest when assessing ejection fraction and aortic valve, and lowest when assessing inferior vena cava size.
Accuracy and between-physician agreement was higher for experienced cardiologists than for less experienced cardiology fellows.
The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health’s Clinical and Translational Science Award grant awarded to The Scripps Research Institute, which then partnered with STSI.
