The use of point-of-care ultrasound in new-onset dyspnea: an unexpected diagnosis. Issue 1 (2nd January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Özpak, Emine; Defruyt, Loran; Braeckeveldt, Laura; Czapla, Jens; Vandecasteele, Els
• Is Part Of: Acta clinica belgica. Volume 77:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 153
• Page End: 156
• Publication Date: 2022-01-02
• Subjects: Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) -- cardiac myxoma -- emergency medicine -- echocardiography -- bedside diagnosis; Clinical medicine -- Periodicals; Diagnosis, Laboratory -- Periodicals; 616.005
• DOI: 10.1080/17843286.2020.1794510
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1784-3286

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In this article, we report a patient with new-onset dyspnea and symptoms suggestive of heart failure, who had an unexpected diagnosis of a large left atrial myxoma with diastolic protrusion into the left ventricle. We further underline the role of cardiac Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) in the initial evaluation of patients with cardiac complaints in the emergency room setting. It can help to differentiate the patients' symptoms in order to achieve a more accurate diagnosis and thus increase the efficacy of the established therapy. In some cases, as with this patient, it can help to establish a diagnosis which needs prompt therapy.