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Technological advances and decreasing costs have supported rapid growth of handheld ultrasonography (HHU). Evidence suggests that adjunctive ultrasonography as an extension of the physical examination enhances bedside diagnostic accuracy. But does this benefit apply to focused cardiac ultrasonography (FoCUS)?
Researchers analyzed nine single-center prospective cohort studies (>1100 patients; mean age, 64) in which the accuracy of FoCUS was compared with clinical exam alone for evaluating adult hospitalized patients for left ventricular dysfunction and valvular heart disease. FoCUS was performed by experts with formal echocardiography training in some studies and by trainees with limited training in others. Standard full transthoracic echocar…