Point-of-care gastric ultrasound and aspiration risk assessment: a narrative review

Can J Anaesth. 2018 Apr;65(4):437-448. doi: 10.1007/s12630-017-1031-9. Epub 2017 Dec 11.

Abstract

This narrative review summarizes the current knowledge on point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) of gastric contents in order to inform an assessment of aspiration risk and guide anesthetic management at the bedside. An I-AIM framework (Indication, Acquisition, Interpretation, and Medical decision-making) is used to summarize and organize the content areas. This narrative review spans the breadth of the literature on pediatric and adult subjects as well as on special patient populations such as obstetric and severely obese individuals. Areas that need further investigation include the diagnostic accuracy of gastric POCUS from a Bayesian perspective and the impact of POCUS on patient outcomes, healthcare economics, and educational curricula.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Clinical Decision-Making / methods
  • Gastrointestinal Contents / diagnostic imaging*
  • Humans
  • Point-of-Care Systems*
  • Respiratory Aspiration / prevention & control*
  • Risk Assessment / methods
  • Ultrasonography / instrumentation
  • Ultrasonography / methods*