Hand Carried Echocardiography Systems - A Beautiful Toy or a Useful Device With Major Impact on Clinical Practice?

[摘要] Technological progress of recent years has made it possible that ultrasound industry can know offer affordable, portable and battery-operated ultrasound systems with the size of a laptop computer. Some of these hand-held echocardiography system can now provide all modalities including two-dimensional echo, continuous-wave, pulsed-wave and color Doppler and facilitate rapid bedside diagnosis and patient screening. However, besides skill in performing and interpreting echocardiograms, awareness of the devices' limitations and optimization of conditions and surroundings appear to be crucial for proper application of this new technology. This recent development in echocardiography also raises a number of questions and the actual impact on general clinical practice still remains to be seen.

[学科分类] 心脏病和心血管学

[关键词] Hand-held-Echokardiographie;Ultraschallgerät;hand-held echocardiography;new technologies;ultrasound devices