The availability of cardiac ultrasound is limited in developing countries. We evaluated the feasibility and diagnostic capability of a hand-carried cardiac ultrasound device in 126 patients (age 44 +/- 24 years) referred for consultation to a cardiology clinic in rural Mexico. The hand-carried cardiac ultrasound device identified 86 cardiac findings and obviated the need for further comprehensive echocardiographic evaluation in 90% of patients (113 of 126).