Point of Care Ultrasound in Geriatric Patients at the Emergency Department

Kamonwon  Ienghong; Somsak Tiamkao; Vajarabhongsa Bhudhisawasdi; Dhanu Gaysonsiri; Korakot Apiratwarakul

doi:10.3889/oamjms.2021.6105

Authors

Kamonwon Ienghong Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0328-4128
Somsak Tiamkao Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Vajarabhongsa Bhudhisawasdi Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Dhanu Gaysonsiri Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Korakot Apiratwarakul Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1984-0865

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2021.6105

Keywords:

Ultrasonography, Diagnosis, Aged

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) plays an important role as a crucial tool for the diagnosis of various conditions in emergency and critical ill patients. However, POCUS examination in elderly populations has not been well studied.

AIM: This was a retrospective observational study of elderly patients at the Department of Emergency Medicine who had received POCUS examination at a tertiary university hospital, Thailand.

METHODS: The study was conducted throughout January 2020–December 2020. Patients’ characteristics and ultrasonography findings were recorded.

RESULTS: A total of 191 elderly patients were evaluated. Median patient age was 75.65 years; 56.02% of patients were female. Chief complaints where POCUS scans were applied were respiratory (36.65%) and cardiovascular system-related (21.99%). The most frequent procedures performed were cardiac, lung, and inferior vena cava examinations. Abnormal ultrasound findings were discovered in 133 patients (68.91%). The 66.17% of abnormal ultrasound findings were associated with final diagnosis. The admission rate of elderly patients (56.82%) was highest among patients with positive ultrasound findings associated with final diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS: POCUS utilization in elderly patients was useful in aiding emergency physicians amid diagnosis of various diseases, especially life-threatening ones.

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