Pocket-size Ultrasound by Nurses in Cardiothoracic Post-operative Patients

Feasibility and Reliability of Routine Ultrasound Examination Performed by Nurses in Cardiothoracic Post-operative Patients

The investigators aim to study the feasibility and reliability of pocket-size diagnostic ultrasound examinations performed by nurses of postoperative patients who have underwent cardiothoracic surgery in a cardiac unit.

Patient inclusion: Post-operative cardiothoracic surgery patients transferred to a cardiac unit. All such patients are eligible for inclusion if they consent to participate in the study. No other exclusion criteria other than not willing/able to give their consent. Only postoperative patients will be included.

Study population: Approximately 50 patients

Intervention: All participants will undergo careful medical history, physical examination and blood tests led by residents. All patients will routinely be examined with ultrasound by nurses trained in ultrasound examinations of the pleural space and the pericardium and a complete high-end echocardiography including assessment of both pleural cavities and the pericardial space will be performed in all by cardiologists.

Statistics and results: Feasibility and reliability will be studied.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Post-operative cardiothoracic patients admitted to the cardiac unit at the local hospital

Exclusion Criteria:

• Not able or not willing to consent