The Effectiveness of a Patient’s Bedside Ultrasonography in Diagnosing a Pulmonary Embolism, in the Emergency Department

Abstract

Objective: The research aim was to analyze the function of focused cardiac ultrasonography (FoCUS) in diagnosing a pulmonary embolism (PE) and contributing to the practice of emergency medicine and expediting the treatment of PE. Materials and Methods: In this prospective and observational study, Wells scores were calculated on those patients who presented to the emergency department over the last 2 years and were evaluated with a preliminary diagnosis of PE, as well as the biochemical values and imaging techniques. In all cases, FoCUS was used as the diagnostic tool. Results: A PE was detected in 38 (63.3%) of 60 patients. According to Wells score, it was determined that 5 (8.3%) patients had low-risk, 41 (68.3%) had medium-risk, and 14 (23.3%) had high-risk Wells score. There was a statistically significant correlation between the existence of PE and the findings of FoCUS in patients with right ventricular dilatation (P