Echocardiography

This may not be available within the Emergency Department but it should be performed during the admission.  If a mechanical problem is suspected such as valve dysfunction, ventricular wall rupture or tamponade, urgent echocardiography should be arranged.

The image shows a transthoracic echo – apical 4 chamber view.

With increasing use of POCUS in the Emergency Department, basic lung ultrasound may help in detection of B-lines and confluence B-lines which would be suggestive of pulmonary oedema. [3]