Pre-anesthetic Whole Body Point-of-care Ultrasonography.

Abstract

Point-of-care ultrasonography has become widely used in diagnosis and managements of patients. In the field of anesthesiology, ultrasound guided nerve blocks and central venous catheterization (CVC), and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) have become popular. Now, ultrasound devices are familiar to anesthesiologists. In pre-anesthetic patient risk evaluation, the sonographic results of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) or the examination of deep venous thrombus are often helpful for anesthesia planning. Both examinations usually have been performed by sonographer. However, the ultrasonographic assessment of neck vessels, lung condition with diaphragm function are still less familiar among anesthesiologists. Here, we have introduced a series of pre-anesthetic whole body ultrasound evaluation of the patients. Because of less invasive technique, whole body ultrasound evaluation is suitable to use when anesthesiologists may have questions whether the patient's condition is good or not. No doubt that point-of-care ultrasonography by anesthesiologists themselves in pre-anesthesia. clinic can be the useful decision making tool of anesthesia plan. To be tomorrow's anesthesiologists, please start point-of-care pre-anesthetic ultrasonographic assessment.