Search
POCUS has moderate agreement with cardiology consultative echocardiography for RV strain in the setting of acute pulmonary embolism. Accuracy and agreement increase as the degree of RV dysfunction increases.
Additional Information
A recent study looked at a retrospective cohort of 194 patients diagnosed with pulmonary embolism. POCUS RV strain was described as RV>LV and/or a low TAPSE. POCUS had a 76.8% sensitive and 85.9% specific for the identification of right ventricular dysfunction compared with consultative echocardiography. There was moderate agreement for RV strain. There were improved sensitivity and agreement when the severity of RV dysfunction increased. Specificity was highest among PGY-1 residents, whom at the study institution scan with ultrasound faculty. Sensitivity increased with training levels.
References
Thomas AL, Rupp JD, Suszanski J, Storrow AB, Kline JA, Birrenkott DA, Kabrhel C, Wrenn JO, Stubblefield WB. Accuracy of Point-of-Care Ultrasound Versus Consultative Echocardiography to Identify Right Ventricular Dysfunction in Emergency Department Patients With Pulmonary Embolism. Ann Emerg Med. 2026 Jun 18:S0196-0644(26)00308-2. doi: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2026.05.003. E