Personal mobile device-based pocket echocardiograph—The diagnostic value and clinical utility

Abstract

PurposeA microUSB ultrasound probe, which can be connected to a personal mobile device constitutes a new class of diagnostic pocket-size imaging devices (PSID). The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and diagnostic value of brief transthoracic echocardiographic examination (bTTE) performed with the use of such equipment. Material and methodsThe study population comprised 87 consecutive patients (58 men, mean age 61 ± 16 years), 53 of whom were admitted to intensive cardiac care unit and 34 patients, who were referred for transthoracic echocardiography from outpatient clinic. All patients underwent bTTE performed by cardiologist with the use of personal mobile device-based PSID. Within 18 h of bTTE all subjects underwent a standard TTE (sTTE) using a full sized echocardiograph by expert echocardiographer. ResultsIn all patients, PSID imaging provided sufficient diagnostic image quality. Echocardiographic measurements were completed for both bTTE and sTTE in 98% of patients. The linear measurements obtained during bTTE showed good to excellent correlation with sTTE results (r = 0.65–0.98; p < 0.001). The agreement in detection of various pathologies between the bTTE and sTTE examination was very good (k = 0.62–0.97; p < 0.01). ConclusionPersonal mobile device-based PSID allows for performing bTTE. The diagnostic value of such PSID in basic assessment of cardiac morphology and function as compared to standard echocardiography is very good.