Ultrasound for primary confirmation of mechanical capture in emergency transcutaneous pacing

Abstract

Clinical confirmation of mechanical capture in emergency transcutaneous pacing is sometimes difficult because of weak pulse volume or interference from skeletal muscle contractions. This report is of a case of using bedside ultrasound for primary confirmation of emergency transcutaneous pacemaker capture, and for differentiating between causes of persistent hypotension despite successful pacing. The technique of ultrasound‐guided transcutaneous pacing is described.

Historical discrepancies in transcutaneous pacing trials: A call to overcome false electrical capture

“…24 We favor point-of-care-ultrasound as a gold standard due to established feasibility (Figure 2). [24][25][26][27] Additionally, we argue there is a need for swift investigation as our work showed clinicians may be unable to recognize post-TCP cardiac arrest due to false electrical capture, as seen in case #1. 12 In a recent national cohort, 1618 (20.4%) who received prehospital TCP experienced post-TCP cardiac arrest, exacerbating these concerns.…”

“…We favor point‐of‐care‐ultrasound as a gold standard due to established feasibility (Figure 2). 24–27 …”