Point‑of‑Care Ultrasound in internal medicine.

Abstract

Point-of-Care ultrasound (POCUS) is bedside ultrasound examination performed by a clinician. POCUS is a suitable tool for rapid diagnosis and monitoring of the condition of many patients examined by internists in emergency departments and inpatient departments. POCUS allows the examining physician to supplement the physical examination with additional information obtained in real time, and is a useful tool for differential diagnosis of a number of acute conditions (shock, shortness of breath, etc.). Chest POCUS includes an indicative assessment of cardiac function and evaluation of the lung parenchyma, including exclusion of pericardial effusion, pneumothorax or fluidothorax. One of the most common applications of POCUS is to assess the state of the venous filling by examining the inferior vena cava. When examining the abdomen, the internist should at least be able to diagnose fluid in the abdominal cavity and exclude congestion in the hollow system of the kidney. POCUS for internists also includes examination of main venous trunks to rule out proximal venous thrombosis. Even when performing conventional invasive procedures, we cannot do without ultrasound at the bedside, whether it is a puncture of ascites or pleural effusion, or cannulation of the central vein. The advantage of POCUS is the immediate availability of the examination and the possibility to repeat scans when needed for monitoring the patient's condition.