ResUS in the Literature: Technological Requirements

Journal: Anesthesiology Intensive Therapy

Date: November 2015

Format: Review

The authors put forth technological and machine requirements needed to perform ResUS using the SESAME protocol. 

In the article, the authors review:

• The role of ResUS in cardiac arrest
• Ideal equipment specifications including: 
• size
• "boot up" time 
• transducer selection(s)
• imaging filters
• presets 
• keyboard specs, 
• gain, depth and B-Mode functionality.
• Step-wise approach to performing the SESAME protocol along with regionally specific technical considerations
• Common sense strategies to fine-tune the SESAME protocol, such as have an AED or percardiocentesis kit integrated onto the machine cart.

Commentary: Technical innovation has occurred rapidly in the field of point of care ultrasound, and yet there are few studies on the minimum requirements of ultrasound equipment in the setting of cardiac arrest. The authors suggest some minimum machine requirements for performing the SESAME protocol, although there is little empiric data to support their recommendations. A discussion regarding the pros and cons of the various machine functions and technical requisites seems long overdue.The SESAME protocol itself has not been validated.

Reference:
Lichtenstein D, Malbrain ML.Critical care ultrasound in cardiac arrest. Technological requirements for performing the SESAME-protocol - a holistic approach. Anaesthesiol Intensive Ther. 2015;47(5):471-81.

Posted by: A Adedipe, MD