Focused Cardiac Ultrasound: Abnormalities on the Apical View
Previously, we discussed the sonographic anatomy and principles of image acquisition of the apical view. Now let us talk briefly about some of the important abnormalities that can be seen on this view. Pericardial effusion This is a…
Focused Cardiac Ultrasound for the Nephrologist: The apical window
Apical window is a component of the standard FoCUS examination and is mainly used for the assessment of right ventricular systolic function, and its size relative to the left ventricle. It is also best for the Doppler interrogation…
Focused Cardiac Ultrasound: Abnormalities on the Parasternal Short Axis View
Last month we focused on introducing the Parasternal Short Axis View (PSAX). Now we turn our attention to some of the must-know abnormalities for the nephrologist in this view. Left ventricular function As mentioned in the previous post,…
Focused Cardiac Ultrasound for the Nephrologist: The Parasternal Short Axis View
Parasternal short axis (PSAX) view is the cross-sectional view of the heart. The image acquisition, sonographic anatomy and the key pathologies seen in this view are discussed below. How is the exam performed? The transducer selection and the…
Introduction to Focused Cardiac Ultrasound: The Parasternal Long Axis View
Why should nephrologists perform cardiac ultrasonography? Cardiac POCUS, also known as focused cardiac ultrasound (FoCUS) is a valuable adjunct to physical examination in various clinical settings. Being able to evaluate cardiac pump function, chamber size, wall thickness, presence…
The Ultrasound Mimics of Hydronephrosis
As a general rule, in any patient presenting with acute kidney injury without an obvious cause, obstructive nephropathy must be excluded because prompt intervention can lead to improvement or complete recovery of renal function. Therefore, the detection of…
Point-of-Care Ultrasound in Cardiorenal Syndrome Type 1
Cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) is a complex clinical entity that encompasses multiple interactions between the heart and kidney. Ronco and colleagues classified CRS into five types. Below, we’ll focus on CRS type 1, or acute cardiac dysfunction (such as…
Basics of Lung Ultrasound for the Nephrologist: What are A-lines and B-lines?
Why should nephrologists perform lung ultrasonography? Determination of volume status is a frequent challenge faced by nephrologists in routine clinical practice and errors in this assessment may result in inappropriate therapy and potentially adverse patient outcomes. Lung ultrasound…
Holy Moly! What’s Up with the Foley?
Exclusion of urinary tract obstruction is one of the most common indications for point of care ultrasonography (POCUS) performed by nephrologists and internists, as it is a potentially reversible cause of acute kidney injury. Though obstruction of urinary…
Focus on POCUN: Shadows and Twinkling Stones
We have another new series of posts to offer this month- Point of Care Ultrasound in Nephrology (POCUN). What better way start off than with kidney stones. Urolithiasis is one of the most common indications for urinary tract…
