Novel handheld ultrasound technology to enhance non-expert screening for rheumatic heart disease in the Republic of Palau: A descriptive study.

AIM: Non-expert training in rheumatic heart disease (RHD) detection is a valuable strategy in resource-limited settings. Here we present an innovative handheld ultrasound application featuring views of correct probe position, imaging protocol and echocardiographic loops of RHD pathology versus normal, accessible during real-time scanning. METHODS: This prospective study was implemented into a pre-existing school health screening programme at an elementary school in Koror, Palau. Six learners with no prior ultrasound experience were taught a simplified screening protocol in which a mitral regurgitation jet ≥1.5 cm and/or presence of aortic insufficiency were considered a positive screen. All consented children underwent echocardiographic screening by experts with standard portable echocardiography. All positive cases and 25% of negative cases were referred for handheld scans by learners. RESULTS: A total of 26 (4.1%) children were diagnosed with borderline or definite RHD. Mean sensitivity and specificity compared to expert RHD diagnosis over all learners was 71% (standard deviation (SD) 11.3) and 92% (SD 4.9), respectively. For the three highest scanning learners, mean sensitivity was 88% (SD 4.9) and mean specificity was 90% (SD 5.7). For all definite RHD cases, sensitivity was 100% for all but one learner, who achieved sensitivity of 60%. The novel application was used in 229 of 624 (36%) of all handheld scans and 50 of 112 (45%) of expert-diagnosed positive scans, with protocol and reference features most frequently used. Utilisation of the novel application overall decreased per day of scanning per learner. CONCLUSION: Adjunctive handheld ultrasound technology may help ease non-experts into RHD screening.

Sudden Death in a Diver: A Diagnostic Conundrum.

We discuss the case of an experienced diver who ran out of air during his final ascent while scuba diving. He lost consciousness rapidly after surfacing and despite immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation, could not be revived. On arrival at the emergency department he was noted to have copious amounts of blood in his upper airway and had developed extensive subcutaneous emphysema. Large amounts of air were observed in the central circulation following a postmortem computerized tomography scan as well as pneumomediastinum, a small right-sided hemothorax, and extensive subcutaneous emphysema. We discuss several potential pathophysiological mechanisms that might explain these findings. Finally, we end with a recommendation for an expedient whole-body postmortem computerized tomography scan and autopsy by a suitably qualified pathologist in the investigation of all dive-related fatalities, where possible.