Chapter 5: Echocardiography and Focus Cardiac Ultrasound in cardiac arrest

Ultrasound examination of the heart, either echocardiography or focus cardiac ultrasound (FoCUS), is incorporated in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) algorithms to identify reversible causes of cardiac arrest.
Coronary thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, cardiac tamponade, hypovolemia, and tension pneumothorax are treatable and reversible causes of cardiac arrest that can be readily diagnosed by cardiac ultrasound examination (CUS).
CUS can be used to assess the efficacy of chest compressions during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Image acquisition in cardiac arrest is challenging and the examination should be performed by experienced operators.
Proper training and teamwork are essential to enable clinical integration of CUS findings while minimizing interruption in chest compressions during CPR.
Focused transesophageal echocardiography can also be used in cardiac arrest settings and may often be required for reaching a definite diagnosis.

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