1
|
Partyka C, Coggins A, Bliss J, Burns B, Fiorentino M, Goorkiz P, Miller M. A multicenter evaluation of the accuracy of prehospital eFAST by a physician-staffed helicopter emergency medical service. Emerg Radiol 2021; 29:299-306. [PMID: 34817706 DOI: 10.1007/s10140-021-02002-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study is to report the relative accuracy of prehospital extended focused assessment with sonography in trauma (eFAST) examinations performed by HEMS physicians. METHODS Trauma patients who received prehospital eFAST by HEMS clinicians between January 2013 and December 2017 were reviewed. The clinician's interpretations of these ultrasounds were compared to gold standard references of CT imaging or operating room findings. The outcomes measured include the calculated accuracy of eFAST for detecting intraperitoneal free fluid (IPFF), pneumothorax, hemothorax, and pericardial fluid compared to available gold standard results. RESULTS Of the 411 patients with adequate data for comparison, the median age was 39.5 years with 73% male and 98% sustaining blunt force trauma. For the detection of IPFF, eFAST had a sensitivity of 25% (95% CI 16-36%) and specificity of 96% (95% CI 93-98%). Sensitivities and specificities were calculated for pneumothorax (38% and 96% respectively), hemothorax (17% and 97% respectively), and pericardial effusion (17% and 100% respectively). These results did not change significantly when reassessed with several sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION Prehospital eFAST is reliable for detecting the presence of intraperitoneal free fluid. This finding should inform receiving trauma teams to prepare for early definitive care in these patients. The low sensitivities across all components of the eFAST highlight the importance of cautiously interpreting negative studies while prompting the need for further studies. TRIAL REGISTRATION ACTRN12618001973202 (Registered on 06/12/2018).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Partyka
- Aeromedical Operations, NSW Ambulance, 33 Nancy Ellis Leebold Drive, Bankstown Airport, Sydney, NSW, 2200, Australia. .,Emergency Department, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, NSW, Australia. .,South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Australia.
| | - Andrew Coggins
- Emergency Department, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia.,Western Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jimmy Bliss
- Aeromedical Operations, NSW Ambulance, 33 Nancy Ellis Leebold Drive, Bankstown Airport, Sydney, NSW, 2200, Australia.,Emergency Department, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, NSW, Australia.,Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Brian Burns
- Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,GSA-HEMS, NSW Ambulance, Blacktown, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Pierre Goorkiz
- Intensive Care Unit, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, NSW, Australia.,School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Matthew Miller
- Aeromedical Operations, NSW Ambulance, 33 Nancy Ellis Leebold Drive, Bankstown Airport, Sydney, NSW, 2200, Australia.,UNSW St George and Sutherland Clinical Schools, Kogarah, Australia
| |
Collapse
|