key: cord-0927115-kx66cj1p
authors: Jozsa, Csilla; Ussen, Bassey; Monteiro, Ricardo; Bingcang, Roma; Lloyd, Guy; Bhattacharyya, Sanjeev
title: Impact of Focussed Echocardiography on Scan Time and Diagnostic Quality in Patients With COVID-19
date: 2020-08-07
journal: J Am Soc Echocardiogr
DOI: 10.1016/j.echo.2020.08.007
sha: 09aaaef5735bb2c43be6374531e9d7eb3da055b9
doc_id: 927115
cord_uid: kx66cj1p

nan

To the Editor, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the resulting illness, COVID-19, has been characterised by widespread transmission of virus leading to high morbidity and mortality (1, 2) . Cardiovascular imaging societies have recommended major changes to the way imaging is performed (3, 4) with a focus on appropriateness and the use of abbreviated protocols (focussed or limited scans) with the aim of shortening scan time to reduce contact between sonographer and patients and lower the risk of virus transmission. There is limited data examining the impact of these guideline recommendations on the contact time between sonographer and patient and the subsequent reproducibility and accuracy of these studies.

We identified all patients with proven or suspected COVID-19 (PCR swab positive) who underwent echocardiography between 23rd March 2020 and 24th April 2020. This study was approved by the institution clinical effectiveness office. The study acquisition time, number of images obtained and adherence to minimum dataset protocol were obtained. The study acquisition time was defined as time from first to last image. The time for measurements and reporting was not included as these are performed away from the patient. All studies were reviewed by an independent reviewer, blinded to the examination period, to examine the inter- This confirms the findings of McMahon et al (5) and additionally shows that despite the reduction in acquisition time, quality was good with a high adherence to protocols, low degree of inter-observer variability and almost no refuted reports.

There is a lack of evidence and uncertainty regarding the risk of COVID-19 to healthcare workers. Mitigation of potential risk by reducing exposure time is advisable. We have demonstrated that exposure time can be reduced whilst maintaining quality and benefit of the test to patients.

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Epidemiology of and Risk Factors for Coronavirus Infection in Health Care Workers

COVID-19 pandemic and cardiac imaging: EACVI recommendations on precautions, indications, prioritization, and protection for patients and healthcare personnel

ASE Statement on Protection of Patients and Echocardiography Service Providers During the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Outbreak

Limited Echocardiography to Reduce Sonographer Scan and Decontamination Time during the COVID-19 Pandemic