Case Reports
Experience with an ultrasound stethoscope*

https://doi.org/10.1067/mje.2002.115268Get rights and content

Abstract

Background: To test the diagnostic potential of the SonoHeart, a battery-powered hand-held ultrasound imaging device, in an outpatient clinic setting. Methods: A total of 114 patients with a variety of cardiac diseases were examined by 2 independent cardiologists with the hand-held device using the standard echocardiographic system (SE) as a reference. Global right ventricular (RV) and left ventricular (LV) function (scored as normal, mildly to moderately, or severely reduced) and internal cavity dimensions were assessed. Regional wall motion of 6 segments using a 2-point score (1 = normal wall motion, 2 = abnormal wall motion) was evaluated in 34 patients on-line. Results: There was a good agreement between the 2 imaging devices for evaluation of global LV (93%) and RV function (99%), regional wall motion (90%), dimensions of the LV (99%) and the RV (99%), and the left (96%) and right atria (99%). Furthermore, SonoHeart identified hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, pericardial effusion, and abnormalities of valves. Conclusion: The SonoHeart device allows rapid and accurate diagnosis, whenever needed in the outpatient clinic. (J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2002;15:80-5.)

Section snippets

The ultrasound stethoscope

The SonoHeart (SonoSite Inc) hand-held ultrasound system (Figure 1) is a small hand-held ultrasound device measuring 33.8 × 19.3 × 6.1 cm and weighing 2.4 kg.

. Photograph of SonoHeart device, hand-held ultrasound imager, used in this study.

It is equipped with a small (15 mm) 2 to 4 MHz phased-array broadband transducer and operates on a rechargeable lithium ion battery or alternating current. The 2D control settings comparable with a standard echocardiographic device and a color power Doppler

Visualization

Three patients had poor echo windows with both imaging techniques and were excluded from the study, leaving 111 patients for analysis.

Agreement

The results for detection of LA and LV enlargement with both examination techniques are summarized in Tables 1 and 2.

. Accuracy of left atrial size assessment (111 patients)

Empty CellUltrasound stethoscope
2D standard echoNormalEnlargedSeverely enlarged
<4 cm8700
4-6 cm1210
>6 cm002

Kappa, 0.974

2D, Two-dimensional.

. Accuracy of left ventricular size assessment (111 patients)

Empty Cell

Discussion

In the late 1970s, Roelandt et al2, 3, 4 introduced the first portable battery-powered 2D echocardiographic instrument to be used as part of the clinical examination. Today, this vision of the past has become a reality as a result of miniaturization and digital technology.

The SonoHeart device is easy to use, is ultraportable with excellent imaging quality, and gives in addition quantitative information about dimensions within the heart. Our study demonstrates the utility of such a device for

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Wim B. Vletter and Jackie McGhie for their expert technical assistance and to Eric Boersma, PhD, for statistical advice.

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*

Reprint requests: Prof Dr J.R.T.C. Roelandt, MD, Department of Cardiology, Thoraxcenter, Erasmus Medical Centre, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands. (E-mail: [email protected]).

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Copyright © 2002 American Society of Echocardiography. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.