Use of linear and convex ultrasound transducers for evaluation of retrosternal area in patients after cardiac surgery

Abstract

The use of linear and convex transducers is usually reserved for ultrasound imaging of vessels, abdominal organs, and lungs. However, the use of these transducers may be extended for the evaluation of thoracic structures. We describe our experience with the use of linear and convex transducers in the evaluation of the retrosternal area, which is usually difficult to visualize by conventional echocardiography and so could provide improved diagnostic information in patients after cardiac surgery. K E Y W O R D Scongenital heart disease, echocardiography, pediatric cardiac surgery | INTRODUCTIONThe use of linear and convex transducers is usually reserved for the examination of the abdomen and the vessels 1 and, more recently, for lung ultrasound (LUS). 2-4 The use of convex and linear transducers may also be extended to the evaluation of other thoracic structures.Linear transducers are helpful for detecting retrosternal thrombi that are difficult to visualize by conventional echocardiography. 4 We present examples of using these transducers for superior visualization of the retrosternal area in children after cardiac surgery. guardians of all the children were informed and accepted to participate in the study by signing a written consent. | TECHNIQUE

Effectiveness of postural lung recruitment on postoperative atelectasis assessed by lung ultrasound in children undergoing lateral thoracotomy cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass

“…28 Besides the increased use of LUS, it was found that the ingenious application of linear and convex transducers for evaluation of retrosternal area could provide additional diagnostic information beyond conventional echocardiography after pediatric cardiac surgery. 29 However, limited data had been found in children undergoing lateral thoracotomy cardiac surgery. To our knowledge, this is the first randomized controlled trial using LUS to investigate the effect of P-RM in children undergoing lateral thoracotomy cardiac surgery.…”

“…The perioperative use of LUS could significantly reduce the frequency of radiographic examinations associated with substantial cost benefits 28 . Besides the increased use of LUS, it was found that the ingenious application of linear and convex transducers for evaluation of retrosternal area could provide additional diagnostic information beyond conventional echocardiography after pediatric cardiac surgery 29 . However, limited data had been found in children undergoing lateral thoracotomy cardiac surgery.…”

Acoustic wave focusing by doubly curved origami-inspired arrays

“…Overall, this research identifies strategies for designing doubly curved acoustic arrays that achieve focusing capabilities similar to a spherical segment transducer. The flat foldability and developability of this array opens up a new approach to tackle problems of manufacturing, transport, and deployment for such focusing transducers to be used in medical practice (Ji et al, 2008), imaging (Cantinotti et al, 2018; Vilkomerson et al, 1992), and so on. Furthermore, this research can be extended to study numerous curved profiles (Song et al, 2017) such as ellipses, parabolas, and more, which might have unexplored potential applications.…”

“…Wave focusing properties of spherically focused transducers are employed in various areas of engineering and medical fields. Numerous applications of these transducers are found in optics (Li et al, 1985), underwater communication (Merkens and Oleson, 2018), structural health monitoring (Koduru and Rose, 2012), ultrasound-based surgery (Ji et al, 2008), medical imaging (Cantinotti et al, 2018; Vilkomerson et al, 1992), radiology (Kennedy, 2005; Wu and Sherar, 2002), and more. These focusing transducers take on one of two surface profiles: the spherical segment is the shape defined by cutting a sphere with a pair of parallel planes, whereas a spherical cap is the smaller part of a sphere cut by a single plane.…”

The importance and ways of exploring the entire chest before and after cardiac surgery: Chest radiography, lung ultrasonography, and computed tomography

“…Chest ultrasonography (eg, the evaluation of the entire chest as well as the lungs) furthermore allows exploration of the retrosternal area, a zone often difficult to image with conventional echocardiography and one where postsurgical clots (even compressing the heart) may be detached. 10,11 In summary, CXR continues to hold a great diagnostic utility in cardiac surgery; however, low-radiation dose CT scan (preoperatively) and chest ultrasonography (postoperatively) are valid complementary or alternative examinations (Figure 1). FIGURE 1.…”