Comprehensive state-of-the-art overview of neonatologist performed echocardiography: Steps towards standardization of the use of echocardiography in neonatal intensive care

摘要

In recent years, the interest in the use of echocardiography to assess critically ill premature and term newborns has exponentially increased. Neonatologist performed echocardiography (NPE) has the potential to enhance clinical hemodynamic assessment by adding important physiologic information that can guide hemodynamic management. This can ultimately improve outcome in this vulnerable population. However, propitious impact on patient care with the use of NPE can only be accomplished by following two important guiding principles: (1) competence: to ensure a high standard of image quality and interpretation of the findings and (2) logic and reason: where the findings are used in the context of the clinical scenario. This requires a structured training program in NPE skills, as well as technical and clinical guidelines for the use of NPE.