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Cardiac ultrasound, or echocardiography, is a noninvasive diagnostic modality that can provide detailed hemodynamic information quickly at a patient's bedside. This activity reviews the indications, contraindications, and techniques involved in performing cardiac ultrasound and highlights the role of the interprofessional team in the care of patients undergoing this procedure. Objectives: Identify the indications for the cardiac ultrasound. Evaluate the technique involved in cardiac ultrasound. Assess the equipment used for the cardiac ultrasound. Communicate interprofessional team strategies for enhancing care coordination to advance the use of cardiac ultrasound and improve patient outcomes. Access free multiple choice questions on this topic.

Cardiac ultrasound, or echocardiography, is a noninvasive diagnostic modality that can provide detailed hemodynamic information quickly at the patient's bedside. It was first adopted by cardiologists for diagnostic purposes in the 1960s and later by emergency physicians as one of several point-of-care ultrasound applications from head to toe. As a result of these two temporally and specialist-independent adaptations, 2 different conventions are used to perform a cardiac ultrasound exam, which will be discussed further.

Cardiac ultrasound, like most diagnostic ultrasound applications, is associated with little, if any, risk. However, there may be some discomfort when acquiring certain views, such as the apical four-chamber view, with the pressure of the probe pressing against the ribs.

The interprofessional team should perform cardiac ultrasound or echocardiography as needed to evaluate patients. This noninvasive diagnostic modality can quickly provide detailed hemodynamic information at the patient's bedside. Nurses should be prepared to assist the provider in point-of-care ultrasound applications from head to toe.