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Technology Insight: hand-carried ultrasound cardiac assessment—evolution, not revolution

Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine volume 2, pages 217–223 (2005)Cite this article

Abstract

Hand-carried ultrasound devices can enhance the art of bedside physical examination by increasing diagnostic accuracy, detecting disease at an earlier stage, and improving triage and referral of patients. Although limitations of device cost and portability can be overcome with technologic advances, the shortage of standardized imaging and training opportunities now needs to be addressed to move the technique forward. Cardiologists are the best-qualified subspecialists to design and teach a simplified training program for bedside use of hand-carried ultrasound devices to assess the cardiovascular system.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cardiology, echocardiography and vascular ultrasound, Scripps Mercy Hospital,

    Bruce J Kimura & Anthony N DeMaria

  2. UCSD Cardiovascular Center at the University of California, San Diego, CA, USA

    Bruce J Kimura & Anthony N DeMaria

Authors
  1. Bruce J Kimura
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  2. Anthony N DeMaria
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bruce J Kimura.

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Competing interests

Bruce J Kimura has in the past been a sponsored speaker for Agilent and SonoSite, who both manufacture hand-carried ultrasound devices. He has also received a temporary equipment loan from SonoSite, Inc. Anthony N DeMaria has in the past received grants and has been an ad hoc advisor or sponsored speaker for almost all companies that make ultrasound devices.

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Kimura, B., DeMaria, A. Technology Insight: hand-carried ultrasound cardiac assessment—evolution, not revolution. Nat Rev Cardiol 2, 217–223 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncpcardio0154

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