Echocardiography in the neonatal unit: current status and future prospects.

Abstract

Introduction: Traditionally echocardiography was used by pediatric cardiologists to diagnose congenital heart defects in neonates. Formalized neonatal hemodynamic fellowships have been established where neonatologists acquire advanced echocardiographic skills to gain anatomical, physiological, and hemodynamic information in real time and utilize this information in making a timely and accurate physiology-based clinical decision.

Area covered: Differences between a comprehensive formal structural echocardiography, neonatologist performed targeted echocardiography and limited assessment on point-of-care-ultrasonography for specific indications have been covered. This article is focused at providing a comprehensive review of the status of echocardiography in the neonatal units, recent advancements and its future prospects in the neonatal intensive care units.

Expert opinion: Comprehensive guidelines providing the scope of practice, a framework for training, and robust clinical governance process for the neonatologist performed targeted echocardiography have been established. In the last decade, echocardiography has emerged as essential vital bedside diagnostic tool in providing high-quality care to the sick infants in the neonatal units, and it has proved to improve the outcomes in neonates. It is now being considered as a modern hemodynamic monitoring tool. Advances in technology, machine learning, and application of artificial intelligence in applications of echocardiography seem promising adjunct tools for rapid assessment in emergency situations.