Point-of-Care Ultrasound and the Discovery of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in a Teenager

Pediatr Emerg Care. 2022 Dec 1;38(12):702-704. doi: 10.1097/PEC.0000000000002881. Epub 2022 Nov 10.

Abstract

We present a case of a teenage patient with new-onset cardiac symptoms discovered to have primary pulmonary arterial hypertension. Point-of-care ultrasound used early in the patient's presentation identified significant right-sided heart dilatation and dysfunction despite the patient's relatively unrevealing physical examination. This article emphasizes the utility of performing focused cardiac ultrasound in pediatric patients early in their presentation. We briefly review focused cardiac ultrasound technique and highlight relevant literature.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Echocardiography
  • Humans
  • Point-of-Care Systems
  • Point-of-Care Testing
  • Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension*
  • Ultrasonography