Handheld echocardiography in patients with cardiovascular disease: to use or not to use, that is the question.

Abstract

The physical examination is one of the most important diagnostic tools for physicians. Traditionally, aphysical examination consists of inspection (looking), palpation (feeling), percussion (reflection of sound) and auscultation (listening). Handheld echography devices could become the new fifth element of aphysical examination. The use of handheld echocardiography has recently increased because the devices have become smaller, easier to handle and more affordable. Handheld echocardiography is used by many specialists involved in acute cardiovascular care. In this narrative review we give asummary of the diagnostic accuracy and limitations of cardiovascular physical examination combined with handheld echocardiography. In patients with cardiovascular disease, adding handheld echocardiography to physical examination increases the sensitivity for detecting valvular heart disease (71% vs 46%) and left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction < 50% (84% vs 43%). Handheld echocardiography might be better for ruling out diseases with alow pre-test probability than in confirming diseases with ahigh pre-test probability.