Visual detection of pulselessness by carotid artery sonography – A prospective observational study among medical students
Authors' conclusion
Medical students seem to be able to detect the absence of a pulse with a high degree of accuracy using 2D ultrasound of the CCA in a controlled study setting, using different ultrasound modes.
Study context
- Population
- Medical students with little to no ultrasound experience, after a short introductory video8,640 decisions
- Participants
- 432 students
- Exposure
- Ultrasound modes for detecting common carotid artery (CCA) pulsation
- Outcome
- Correct decision 'pulsation present' vs 'no pulsation present' on 10-second CCA ultrasound videos
Methodological detailsprospective observational
- Prospective observational
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Correct identification of CCA pulsation status
| Group | Pulsation correctly identified | No pulsation correctly identified | Pulsation incorrectly judged absent |
|---|---|---|---|
| M-mode | 96 % (1244/1296) | 95 % (1231/1296) | |
| B-mode | 69 % (889/1296) | 99 % (2142/2160) | 31 % (407/1296) |
| Color Doppler | 99.5 % (1290/1296) | 99 % (1281/1296) |
Pulsation correctly identified
M-mode96 % (1244/1296)
B-mode69 % (889/1296)
Color Doppler99.5 % (1290/1296)
No pulsation correctly identified
M-mode95 % (1231/1296)
B-mode99 % (2142/2160)
Color Doppler99 % (1281/1296)
Pulsation incorrectly judged absent
M-mode— not stated in the abstract
B-mode31 % (407/1296)
Color Doppler— not stated in the abstract
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
Visual detection of pulselessness by carotid artery sonography – A prospective observational study among medical students. Resuscitation. Published 17 December 2024. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →