Point-of-care ultrasound (US), defined as US broughtto the patient and used by the provider in real time,1has been shown to rapidly and cost-effectivelyimprove diagnostic accuracy in the hands of experts.2These devices provide valuable tools that may shortenthe time to a definitive diagnosis and improve medicaldecision making. Advances in technology have led tothe development of miniature US devices that providehigh-quality echocardiography and can be carried in apocket, similar to a stethoscope. We report a case ofinfective endocarditis in which the standard incorporation of point-of-care US to the physical examinationby the internist admitting the patient was the key element in making the life-threatening diagnosis early, atthe first patient–ward physician encounter.
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