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Can family physicians accurately screen for AAA with point-of-care ultrasound?

Author/s: 
Cade, N., Granath, B., Nether, J. O., Safranek, S.
Date Added: 
September 23, 2021
Journal/Publication: 
The Journal of Family Practice
Issue: 
6
Volume: 
70
Type: 
Meta-analyses, Reviews, and Guidelines
DOI (1): 
10.12788/jfp.0231
MeSH 
point-of-care systems
physicians, family
Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal
Ultrasonography
Emergency Medicine
Diagnostic Imaging
Radiologists

RPR Commentary

Primary care office ultrasound is as good as consultative ultrasound for identifying AAA.

Abstract

EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER:
LIKELY YES. POINT-OF-CARE ULTRASOUND (POCUS) SCREENING FOR ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSM (AAA) BY NONRADIOLOGIST PHYSICIANS IS 98% SENSITIVE AND 99% SPECIFIC, COMPARED WITH IMAGING PERFORMED BY RADIOLOGISTS (STRENGTH OF RECOMMENDATION [SOR]: B, META-ANALYSIS OF DIAGNOSTIC ACCURACY STUDIES MOSTLY INVOLVING EMERGENCY MEDICINE PHYSICIANS). EUROPEAN FAMILY PHYSICIANS DEMONSTRATED 100% CONCORDANCE WITH RADIOLOGIST READINGS (SOR: C, VERY SMALL SUBSEQUENT DIAGNOSTIC ACCURACY STUDIES).