How I do it: feasibility of a new ultrasound probe fixator to facilitate high quality stress echocardiography

• DOI: 10.1186/s12947-018-0124-0
• Publication Date: 2018-04-03T23:56:40Z
• Authors: O. A. E. Salden; W. M. van Everdingen; R. Spee; P. A. Doevendans; M. J. Cramer
• Keywords: Supine position; Stress Echocardiography; Angiology; Sports medicine; Bicycle ergometer

Stress echocardiography (SE) has recently regained momentum as an important diagnostic tool for the assessment of both ischemic and non-ischemic heart disease. Performing SE during physical exercise is challenging due to a suboptimal patient position vigorous movements patient's chest. This hampers stable ultrasound reduces performance SE. A probe would facilitate producing high quality images continuous measurements. With Probefix (Usono, Eindhoven, The Netherlands), newly developed fixate chest, stabilization possible.The technique with its' feasibility are evaluated in small pilot study. fixates using two chest straps fixation device. angle may be altered relative degree freedom. We tested echocardiographic imaging 12 study subjects supine upright ergometer stress tests. One was unable perform good were not achieved. In other patients (82%) obtained, subsequent SE.We have demonstrated support tests positions conclude that this external fixator monitoring cardiac function group patients.