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Providência R, Aali G, Zhu F, Katairo T, Ahmad M, Bray JJH, Pelone F, Khanji MY, Marijon E, Cassandra M, Celermajer DS, Shokraneh F. Handheld echocardiography for the screening and diagnosis of rheumatic heart disease: a systematic review to inform WHO guidelines. Lancet Glob Health 2024; 12:e983-e994. [PMID: 38762298 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(24)00127-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early detection and diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease are key to preventing progression, and echocardiography has an important diagnostic role. Standard echocardiography might not be feasible in high-prevalence regions due to its high cost, complexity, and time requirement. Handheld echocardiography might be an easy-to-use, low-cost alternative, but its performance in screening for and diagnosing acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease needs further investigation. METHODS In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched Embase, MEDLINE, LILACS, and Conference Proceedings Citation Index-Science up to Feb 9, 2024, for studies on the screening and diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease using handheld echocardiography (index test) or standard echocardiography or auscultation (reference tests) in high-prevalence areas. We included all studies with useable data in which the diagnostic performance of the index test was assessed against a reference test. Data on test accuracy in diagnosing rheumatic heart disease, acute rheumatic fever, or carditis with acute rheumatic fever (primary outcomes) were extracted from published articles or calculated, with authors contacted as necessary. Quality of evidence was appraised using GRADE and QUADAS-2 criteria. We summarised diagnostic accuracy statistics (including sensitivity and specificity) and estimated 95% CIs using a bivariate random-effects model (or univariate random-effects models for analyses including three or fewer studies). Area under the curve (AUC) was calculated from summary receiver operating characteristic curves. Heterogeneity was assessed by visual inspection of plots. This study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022344081). FINDINGS Out of 4868 records we identified 11 studies, and two additional reports, comprising 15 578 unique participants. Pooled data showed that handheld echocardiography had high sensitivity (0·87 [95% CI 0·76-0·93]), specificity (0·98 [0·71-1·00]), and overall high accuracy (AUC 0·94 [0·84-1·00]) for diagnosing rheumatic heart disease when compared with standard echocardiography (two studies; moderate certainty of evidence), with better performance for diagnosing definite compared with borderline rheumatic heart disease. High sensitivity (0·79 [0·73-0·84]), specificity (0·85 [0·80-0·89]), and overall accuracy (AUC 0·90 [0·85-0·94]) for screening rheumatic heart disease was observed when pooling data of handheld echocardiography versus standard echocardiography (seven studies; high certainty of evidence). Most studies had a low risk of bias overall. Some heterogeneity was observed for sensitivity and specificity across studies, possibly driven by differences in the prevalence and severity of rheumatic heart disease, and level of training or expertise of non-expert operators. INTERPRETATION Handheld echocardiography has a high accuracy and diagnostic performance when compared with standard echocardiography for diagnosing and screening of rheumatic heart disease in high-prevalence areas. FUNDING World Health Organization. TRANSLATIONS For the Chinese, French, Italian, Persian, Portuguese, Spanish and Urdu translations of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Providência
- Genes Health and Social Care Evidence Synthesis Unit, Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK; Barts Heart Centre, St Bartholomew's Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK.
| | - Ghazaleh Aali
- Cochrane Heart, Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK
| | - Fang Zhu
- Systematic Review Consultants, Nottingham, UK
| | | | - Mahmood Ahmad
- Genes Health and Social Care Evidence Synthesis Unit, Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK; Cardiology Department, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Jonathan J H Bray
- Genes Health and Social Care Evidence Synthesis Unit, Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK; Barts Heart Centre, St Bartholomew's Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Ferruccio Pelone
- Genes Health and Social Care Evidence Synthesis Unit, Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK
| | - Mohammed Y Khanji
- Department of Cardiology, Barts Heart Centre, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, UK; Centre for Cardiovascular Medicine and Devices, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK; Department of Cardiology, Newham University Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Eloi Marijon
- Paris Cardiovascular Research Centre, INSERM U970, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Miryan Cassandra
- Cardiology Department, Hospital Dr Ayres de Menezes, São Tomé, São Tomé and Príncipe
| | - David S Celermajer
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Farhad Shokraneh
- Genes Health and Social Care Evidence Synthesis Unit, Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK; Systematic Review Consultants, Nottingham, UK
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Rwebembera J, Marangou J, Mwita JC, Mocumbi AO, Mota C, Okello E, Nascimento B, Thorup L, Beaton A, Kado J, Kaethner A, Kumar RK, Lawrenson J, Marijon E, Mirabel M, Nunes MCP, Piñeiro D, Pinto F, Ralston K, Sable C, Sanyahumbi A, Saxena A, Sliwa K, Steer A, Viali S, Wheaton G, Wilson N, Zühlke L, Reményi B. 2023 World Heart Federation guidelines for the echocardiographic diagnosis of rheumatic heart disease. Nat Rev Cardiol 2024; 21:250-263. [PMID: 37914787 DOI: 10.1038/s41569-023-00940-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is an important and preventable cause of morbidity and mortality among children and young adults in low-income and middle-income countries, as well as among certain at-risk populations living in high-income countries. The 2012 World Heart Federation echocardiographic criteria provided a standardized approach for the identification of RHD and facilitated an improvement in early case detection. The 2012 criteria were used to define disease burden in numerous epidemiological studies, but researchers and clinicians have since highlighted limitations that have prompted a revision. In this updated version of the guidelines, we incorporate evidence from a scoping review, an expert panel and end-user feedback and present an approach for active case finding for RHD, including the use of screening and confirmatory criteria. These guidelines also introduce a new stage-based classification for RHD to identify the risk of disease progression. They describe the latest evidence and recommendations on population-based echocardiographic active case finding and risk stratification. Secondary antibiotic prophylaxis, echocardiography equipment and task sharing for RHD active case finding are also discussed. These World Heart Federation 2023 guidelines provide a concise and updated resource for clinical and research applications in RHD-endemic regions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - James Marangou
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
- Department of Cardiology, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Department of Cardiology, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Julius Chacha Mwita
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Botswana and Princess Marina Hospital, Gaborone, Botswana
| | | | - Cleonice Mota
- Departamento de Paediatria, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo, Horizonte, Brazil
- Divisão de Cardiologia Pediátrica e Fetal/Serviço de Cardiologia e Cirurgia Cardiovascular e Serviço de Paediatria, Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo, Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Emmy Okello
- Division of Adult Cardiology, Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Bruno Nascimento
- Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo, Horizonte, Brazil
- Serviço de Cardiologia e Cirurgia Cardiovascular, Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo, Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Lene Thorup
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Andrea Beaton
- Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Division of Cardiology, The Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Joseph Kado
- Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccine and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Alexander Kaethner
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
- NT Cardiac, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | | | - John Lawrenson
- Paediatric Cardiology Service of the Western Cape, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital and Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Eloi Marijon
- Division of Cardiology, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Paris, France
| | | | - Maria Carmo Pereira Nunes
- Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo, Horizonte, Brazil
- Serviço de Cardiologia e Cirurgia Cardiovascular, Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo, Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Daniel Piñeiro
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Fausto Pinto
- Cardiology Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Centro Académico de Medicina de Lisboa, The Cardiovascular Centre of the University of Lisbon, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Craig Sable
- Division of Cardiology, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Amy Sanyahumbi
- Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Anita Saxena
- Pt BD Sharma University of Health Sciences, Rohtak, India
| | - Karen Sliwa
- Cape Heart Institute, Department of Medicine and Cardiology, Groote Schuur Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Andrew Steer
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Tropical Diseases Research Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of General Medicine, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Gavin Wheaton
- Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Nigel Wilson
- Green Lane Paediatric and Congenital Cardiac Services, Starship Hospital, Te Whatu Ora, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Liesl Zühlke
- South African Medical Research Council, Extramural Research & Internal Portfolio, Cape Town, South Africa
- Division of Paediatric Cardiology, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Bo Reményi
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
- NT Cardiac, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, Australia
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Elmi N, Sadri Y, Myslik F, Chenkin J, Cherniak W. Self-administered at-home lung ultrasound with remote guidance in patients without clinical training. Respir Res 2024; 25:111. [PMID: 38443957 PMCID: PMC10916118 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-024-02744-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Access to timely and accurate diagnostic imaging is essential for high-quality healthcare. Point-of-care ultrasound has been shown to be accessible and effective in many aspects of healthcare, including assessing changes in lung pathology. However, few studies have examined self-administered at-home lung ultrasound (SAAH-LUS), in particular performed by non-clinical patients (NCPs). RESEARCH QUESTION Are NCPs able to perform SAAH-LUS using remote teleguidance and produce interpretable images? STUDY DESIGN Patients were enrolled to the study in a mix of in-person and virtual recruitment, and shipped a smartphone as well as a point of care ultrasound device. Tele-guidance was provided by a remote physician using software integrated with the point of care ultrasound device, allowing real-time remote visualization and guidance of a patient scanning their own chest. A post-intervention survey was conducted to assess patient satisfaction, feasibility, and acceptability of SAAH-LUS. Two POCUS expert reviewers reviewed the scans for interpretability, and inter-rater agreement between the two reviewers was also computed. RESULTS Eighteen patients successfully underwent 7-14 days of daily telemedicine in parallel to daily SAAH-LUS. Across 1339 scans obtained from ten different lung zones, the average proportion of interpretability was 96% with a chance-corrected agreement, or Cohen's kappa, reported as κ = 0.67 (significant agreement). 100% of NCPs surveyed found SAAH-LUS to be a positive experience, particularly for its ease of operation and ability to increase access to healthcare services. INTERPRETATION This study demonstrates that NCPs can obtain interpretable LUS images at home, highlighting the potential for SAAH-LUS to increase diagnostic capacity, particularly for rural and remote regions where complex imaging and healthcare providers are difficult to obtain. Trial registration The clinical trials has been registered (clinicaltrials.gov). REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT04967729.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nika Elmi
- Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
| | - Yasmin Sadri
- Dalhousie Medical School, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Frank Myslik
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Jordan Chenkin
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - William Cherniak
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- School of Professional Studies, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of International Health, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Simpson MT, Kachel M, Neely RC, Erwin WC, Yasin A, Patel A, Rao DP, Pandey K, George I. Rheumatic Heart Disease in the Developing World. STRUCTURAL HEART : THE JOURNAL OF THE HEART TEAM 2023; 7:100219. [PMID: 38046860 PMCID: PMC10692356 DOI: 10.1016/j.shj.2023.100219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Despite recent public policy initiatives, rheumatic heart disease (RHD) remains a major source of morbidity worldwide. Rheumatic heart disease occurs as a sequela of Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcal [GAS]) infection in patients with genetic susceptibility. Strategies for prevention of RHD or progression of RHD include prevention of GAS infection with community initiatives, effective treatment of GAS infection, and secondary prophylaxis with intramuscular penicillin. The cardiac surgical community has attempted to improve the availability of surgery in RHD-endemic areas with some success, and operative techniques and outcomes of valve repair continue to improve, potentially offering patients a safer, more durable operation. Innovation offers hope for a more scalable solution with improved biomaterials and transcatheter delivery technology; however, cost remains a barrier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael T. Simpson
- Division of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York, USA
| | - Mateusz Kachel
- Division of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - W. Clinton Erwin
- Division of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York, USA
| | - Aleena Yasin
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Amisha Patel
- Division of Cardiology, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Dasari Prasada Rao
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Apollo Spectra Hospital, Hyderabad, India
| | - Kaushal Pandey
- Centre for Cardiac Care, Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai, India
| | - Isaac George
- Division of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York, USA
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Scheier E. Cardiac POCUS in Pediatric Emergency Medicine: A Narrative Review. J Clin Med 2023; 12:5666. [PMID: 37685733 PMCID: PMC10488602 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12175666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE OF THIS REVIEW The cardiac point of care ultrasound (POCUS) is among the most impactful examinations in the evaluation of an ill child. This paper will review the English-language literature on cardiac POCUS in the pediatric emergency department (PED), the adult emergency literature with relevance to pediatric emergency, and other pediatric cardiac studies outside pediatric emergency with relevance to PED detection of potentially emergent pediatric cardiac pathology. RECENT FINDINGS Pediatric emergency physicians can reliably detect decreased left-sided systolic function and pericardial effusion using POCUS. Case reports show that pediatric emergency physicians have detected right-sided outflow tract obstruction, aortic root dilatation, and congenital cardiac disease using POCUS. Training for pediatric cardiac POCUS competency is feasible, and cardiac POCUS does not increase the burden on cardiology resources to the PED. SUMMARY While cardiac pathology in children is relatively rare, pediatric cardiac POCUS can incorporate a broad curriculum beyond systolic function and the presence of pericardial fluid. Further research should assess pediatric emergency physician performance in the identification of a broader range of cardiac pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Scheier
- Pediatric Emergency, Kaplan Medical Center, Rehovot 76100, Israel; ; Tel.: +972-(8)-944-1275; Fax: +972-(8)-944-1276
- Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel
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6
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Francis JR, Fairhurst H, Yan J, Fernandes Monteiro A, Lee AM, Maurays J, Kaethner A, Whalley GA, Hardefeldt H, Williamson J, Marangou J, Reeves B, Wheaton G, Robertson T, Horton A, Cush J, Wade V, Monteiro A, Draper ADK, Morris PS, Ralph AP, Remenyi B. Abbreviated Echocardiographic Screening for Rheumatic Heart Disease by Nonexperts with and without Offsite Expert Review: A Diagnostic Accuracy Study. J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2023; 36:733-745. [PMID: 36806665 DOI: 10.1016/j.echo.2023.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early detection of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) through echocardiographic screening can facilitate early access to effective treatment, which reduces the risk for progression. Accurate, feasible approaches to echocardiographic screening that can be incorporated into routine health services are needed. The authors hypothesized that offsite expert review could improve the diagnostic accuracy of nonexpert-obtained echocardiographic images. METHODS This prospective cross-sectional study was performed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of health worker-conducted single parasternal long-axis view with a sweep of the heart using hand-carried ultrasound for the detection of RHD in high-risk populations in Timor-Leste and Australia. In the primary analysis, the presence of any mitral or aortic regurgitation met the criteria for a positive screening result. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated for a screen-and-refer approach based on nonexpert practitioner assessment (approach 1) and for an approach using offsite expert review of nonexpert practitioner-obtained images to decide onward referral (approach 2). Each participant had a reference test performed by an expert echocardiographer on the same day as the index test. Diagnosis of RHD was determined by a panel of three experts, using 2012 World Heart Federation criteria. RESULTS The prevalence of borderline or definite RHD among 3,329 participants was 4.0% (95% CI, 3.4%-4.7%). The sensitivity of approach 1 for borderline or definite RHD was 86.5% (95% CI, 79.5%-91.8%), and the specificity was 61.4% (95% CI, 59.7%-63.1%). Approach 2 achieved similar sensitivity (88.4%; 95% CI, 81.5%-93.3%) and improved specificity (77.1%; 95% CI, 75.6%-78.6%). CONCLUSION Nonexpert practitioner-obtained single parasternal long-axis view with a sweep of the heart images, reviewed by an offsite expert, can detect borderline and definite RHD on screening with reasonable sensitivity and specificity. Brief training of nonexpert practitioners with ongoing support could be used as an effective strategy for scaling up echocardiographic screening for RHD in high-risk settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua R Francis
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, Australia.
| | - Helen Fairhurst
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia
| | - Jennifer Yan
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, Australia
| | - Anferida Fernandes Monteiro
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia
| | | | | | - Alex Kaethner
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia; NT Cardiac, Darwin, Australia
| | - Gillian A Whalley
- Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | | | - Jacqui Williamson
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia
| | - James Marangou
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia; NT Cardiac, Darwin, Australia; Division of Medicine, Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, Australia
| | - Benjamin Reeves
- Department of Paediatric Cardiology, Cairns Hospital, Cairns, Australia
| | - Gavin Wheaton
- Department of Cardiology, Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Terry Robertson
- Department of Cardiology, Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Ari Horton
- Department of Paediatrics, Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, Australia; NT Cardiac, Darwin, Australia; Paediatric Cardiology, Monash Heart and Monash Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - James Cush
- Department of Paediatrics, Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, Australia
| | - Vicki Wade
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia
| | - Andre Monteiro
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Nacional Guido Valadares, Dili, Timor-Leste
| | - Anthony D K Draper
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia; Centre for Disease Control, Northern Territory Department of Health, Darwin, Australia; National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Peter S Morris
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, Australia
| | - Anna P Ralph
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia; Division of Medicine, Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, Australia
| | - Bo Remenyi
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, Australia; NT Cardiac, Darwin, Australia
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Jaji A, Loomba RS. Hocus POCUS! Parental Quantification of Left-Ventricular Ejection Fraction Using Point of Care Ultrasound: Fiction or Reality? Pediatr Cardiol 2022:10.1007/s00246-022-03090-w. [PMID: 36583757 PMCID: PMC9801352 DOI: 10.1007/s00246-022-03090-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Point of care ultrasound has become increasingly utilized in pediatric settings. The assessment of cardiac function is one such implementation of this. This study aimed to determine the feasibility of parents in acquiring images to assess function using a handheld ultrasound probe and the correlation of fractional shortening measurements by handheld ultrasound with hospital acquired echocardiography. This was a single-center prospective study of parents of pediatric patients admitted to the hospital. Parents underwent a 25-min education session on how to use the handheld ultrasound probe and then were asked to acquire a parasternal short-axis and apical four-chamber image on their own. Acquired images were reviewed by two physicians to determine adequacy of images to assess systolic cardiac function subjectively and objectively. Fractional shortening was measured using parent-acquired images and then compared to recent hospital acquired fractional shortening. A total of 25 parents of 21 patients enrolled and completed the study. Of the enrolled parents, 96% of both parasternal short-axis and apical four-chamber images acquired were deemed appropriate for subjective assessment of systolic function. Inter-reader variability of fractional shortening was moderate between two readers. Correlation of fractional shortening measured from parent-acquired images versus hospital acquired images was moderate. Parents were able to successfully obtain a parasternal short-axis and apical four-chamber image adequate to assess function and quantify fractional shortening after a 25-min education session. This pilot data demonstrate that further exploration of parent-performed point of care cardiac assessment may be warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amina Jaji
- Advocate Children's Hospital, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Rohit S Loomba
- Advocate Children's Hospital, Chicago, IL, USA.
- Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, Chicago, IL, USA.
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8
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Alsharqi M, Ismavel VA, Arnold L, Choudhury SS, Solomi V C, Rao S, Nath T, Rani A, Goel I, Kakoty SD, Mahanta P, Roy I, Deka R, Opondo C, Baigent C, Leeson P, Nair M. Focused Cardiac Ultrasound to Guide the Diagnosis of Heart Failure in Pregnant Women in India. J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2022; 35:1281-1294. [PMID: 35934263 DOI: 10.1016/j.echo.2022.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cardiac complications are a leading cause of maternal death. Cardiac imaging with echocardiography is important for prompt diagnosis, but it is not available in many low-resource settings. The aim of this study was to determine whether focused cardiac ultrasound performed by trained obstetricians and interpreted remotely by experts can identify cardiac abnormalities in pregnant women in low-resource settings. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted among 301 pregnant and postpartum women recruited from 10 hospitals across three states in India. Twenty-two obstetricians were trained in image acquisition using a portable cardiac ultrasound device following a simplified protocol adapted from focus-assessed transthoracic echocardiography protocol. It included parasternal long-axis, parasternal short-axis, and apical four-chamber views on two-dimensional and color Doppler. Independent image interpretation was performed remotely by two experts, in the United Kingdom and India, using a standard semiquantitative assessment protocol. Interrater agreement between the experts was examined using Cohen's κ. Diagnostic accuracy of the method was examined in a subsample for whom both focused and conventional scans were available. RESULTS Cardiac abnormalities identified using the focused method included valvular abnormalities (27%), rheumatic heart disease (6.6%), derangements in left ventricular size (4.7%) and function (22%), atrial dilatation (19.5%), and pericardial effusion (30%). There was substantial agreement on the cardiac parameters between the two experts, ranging from 93.6% (κ = 0.84) for left ventricular ejection fraction to 100% (κ = 1) for valvular disease. Image quality was graded as good in 79% of parasternal long-axis, 77% of parasternal short-axis and 64% of apical four-chamber views. The chance-corrected κ coefficients indicated fair to moderate agreement (κ = 0.28-0.51) for the image quality parameters. There was good agreement on diagnosis between the focused method and standard echocardiography (78% agreement), compared in 36 participants. CONCLUSIONS The focused method accurately identified cardiac abnormalities in pregnant women and could be used for screening cardiac problems in obstetric settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Alsharqi
- Cardiovascular Clinical Research Facility, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Department of Cardiac Technology, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Vijay A Ismavel
- Makunda Christian Leprosy and General Hospital, Assam, India
| | - Linda Arnold
- Cardiovascular Clinical Research Facility, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Sereesha Rao
- Silchar Medical College and Hospital, Assam, India
| | - Tina Nath
- Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, Assam, India
| | - Anjali Rani
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Isha Goel
- Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, Assam, India
| | - Swapna D Kakoty
- Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Medical College and Hospital, Assam, India
| | | | | | - Rupanjali Deka
- Srimanta Sankaradeva University of Health Sciences, Assam, India
| | - Charles Opondo
- Department of Medical Statistics, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Colin Baigent
- MRC Population Health Research Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Leeson
- Cardiovascular Clinical Research Facility, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Manisha Nair
- National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
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Abrokwa SK, Ruby LC, Heuvelings CC, Bélard S. Task shifting for point of care ultrasound in primary healthcare in low- and middle-income countries-a systematic review. EClinicalMedicine 2022; 45:101333. [PMID: 35284806 PMCID: PMC8904233 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2022.101333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Low-and middle-income countries (LMIC) are faced with healthcare challenges including lack of specialized healthcare workforce and limited diagnostic infrastructure. Task shifting for point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) can overcome both shortcomings. This review aimed at identifying benefits and challenges of task shifting for POCUS in primary healthcare settings in LMIC. Medline and Embase were searched up to November 22nd, 2021. Publications reporting original data on POCUS performed by local ultrasound naïve healthcare providers in any medical field at primary healthcare were included. Data were analyzed descriptively. PROSPERO registration number CRD42021223302. Overall, 36 publications were included, most (n = 35) were prospective observational studies. Medical fields of POCUS application included obstetrics, gynecology, emergency medicine, infectious diseases, and cardiac, abdominal, and pulmonary conditions. POCUS was performed by midwives, nurses, clinical officers, physicians, technicians, and community health workers following varying periods of short-term training and using different ultrasound devices. Benefits of POCUS were yields of diagnostic images with adequate interpretation impacting patient management and outcome. High cost of face-to-face training, poor internet connectivity hindering telemedicine components, and unstable electrici'ty were among reported drawbacks for successful implementation of task shifting POCUS. At the primary care level in resource-limited settings task shifting for POCUS has the potential to expand diagnostic imaging capacity and impact patient management leading to meaningful health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth Kofi Abrokwa
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
- Corresponding author.
| | - Lisa C. Ruby
- Department of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Immunology and Critical Care Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Sabine Bélard
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Immunology and Critical Care Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
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