Title

Cardiac Point-of-Care Ultrasound Nomenclature

Authoring Organization

American Society of Echocardiography

Publication Month/Year

September 3, 2024

Last Updated Month/Year

September 9, 2024

Supplemental Implementation Tools

Document Type

Consensus

Country of Publication

US

Document Objectives

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) involves the acquisition, interpretation, and immediate clinical integration of ultrasonographic imaging performed by a treating clinician. The current state of cardiac POCUS terminology is heterogeneous and ambiguous, in part because it evolved through siloed specialty practices. In particular, the medical literature and colloquial medical conversation contain a wide variety of terms that equate to cardiac POCUS. While diverse terminology aided in the development and dissemination of cardiac POCUS throughout multiple specialties, it also contributes to confusion and raises patient safety concerns. This statement is the product of a diverse and inclusive Writing Group from multiple specialties, including medical linguistics, that employed an iterative process to contextualize and standardize a nomenclature for cardiac POCUS. We sought to establish a deliberate vocabulary that is sufficiently unrelated to any specialty, ultrasound equipment, or clinical setting to enhance consistency throughout the academic literature and patient care settings. This statement (1) reviews the evolution of cardiac POCUS-related terms; (2) outlines specific recommendations, distinguishing between intrinsic and practical differences in terminology; (3) addresses the implications of these recommendations for current practice; and (4) discusses the implications for novel technologies and future research.

Inclusion Criteria

Male, Female, Adult, Older adult

Health Care Settings

Ambulatory, Hospital, Outpatient, Operating and recovery room

Intended Users

Nurse, nurse practitioner, physician, physician assistant

Scope

Assessment and screening, Management

Keywords

point of care ultrasound, POCUS

Source Citation

James N. Kirkpatrick, Nova Panebianco, José L. Díaz-Gómez, Srikar Adhikari, Merri L. Bremer, Yuriy S. Bronshteyn, Sara Damewood, Madeline Jankowski, Amer Johri, Judith R.H. Kaplan, Bruce J. Kimura, Smadar Kort, Arthur Labovitz, Jimmy C. Lu, Irene W.Y. Ma, Paul H. Mayo, Sharon L. Mulvagh, Sara Nikravan, Sheela Pai Cole, Michael H. Picard, Vincent L. Sorrell, Raymond Stainback, Ritu Thamman, Edwin S. Tucay, Gabriele Via, Frances Mae West, Recommendations for Cardiac Point-of-Care Ultrasound Nomenclature, Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography, Volume 37, Issue 9, 2024, Pages 809-819, ISSN 0894-7317, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.echo.2024.05.001