Prehospital Ultrasound Diagnosis of Massive Pulmonary Embolism by Non-Physicians: A Case Series

Massive pulmonary embolism (hemodynamically unstable, defined as systolic BP <90 mmHg) has significant morbidity and mortality. Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) has allowed clinicians to detect evidence of massive pulmonary embolism much earlier in the patient’s clinical course, especially when patient instability precludes computerized tomography confirmation. POCUS detection of massive pulmonary embolism has traditionally been performed by physicians. This case series demonstrates four cases of massive pulmonary embolism diagnosed with POCUS performed by non-physician prehospital personnel.

大面积肺栓塞（Massive pulmonary embolism，指血流动力学不稳定，定义为收缩压<90 mmHg）具有显著的发病率与死亡率。床旁超声（Point of care ultrasound，POCUS）可使临床医师在患者临床病程的更早阶段检出大面积肺栓塞的相关征象，尤其适用于患者血流动力学不稳定、无法接受计算机断层扫描（computerized tomography）确认病情的场景。传统上，大面积肺栓塞的床旁超声检出操作均由医师完成。本病例系列展示了4例由非医师院前人员实施床旁超声诊断的大面积肺栓塞病例。