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Head To Head

Should point-of-care ultrasonography replace stethoscopes in acute respiratory failure?

BMJ 2019; 366 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.l5225 (Published 30 August 2019) Cite this as: BMJ 2019;366:l5225

Rapid Response:

Re: Should point-of-care ultrasonography replace stethoscopes in acute respiratory failure?

Fantastic head to head article. There is always some scepticism when a new technique is implemented in medicine: this is quite natural. I think bedside ultrasound examination should be used as an adjunct tool along with stethoscope, clinical findings and laboratory findings, e.g., increased C-reactive protein (CRP), Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), White blood Cell Count (WCC) and a relatively new marker Procalcitonin (PCT).

However, as mentioned in the article, there are some shortcomings of using bedside ultrasound like Q@A issues and who endorses / justifies its usage in day to day practice.

Moreover, there seem to be more prospective studies and meta analysis needed for its firm implementation.

Competing interests: No competing interests

31 August 2019
Emre Pakdemirli
Consultant Radiologist
West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust