The next step is to attend a USabcd hands-on Basic FATE workshop

During the workshop you will obtain practical skills with a structured and systematic didactic approach

You will learn how to:

– Display the basic FATE views
– Apply M-mode
– Measure cardiac dimensions
– Assess cardiac function
– Obtain and interpret pleural views

The patients will benefit from your new knowledge because:

FATE is easy and quickly performed

FATE can be performed in the sitting position – and in any location

FATE can be performed by any trained physician

FATE is necessary to obtain the most detailed information on cardiac physiology and pathology

FATE can be applied in all clinical scenarios e.g. pre-, per-, and postoperatively, in intensive care medicine, emergencies, resuscitation, ect.

Download the FATE card here: usabcd.org/FATEcard
(copy the link to your browser)

We hope you have enjoyed the course and we wish you great luck with your forthcoming FATE performance in your own department, and to the benefit of your own patients

The patients will appreciate to be more effectively and unbiasedly examined and treated without unnecessary time delay

This is the idea of the FATE protocol

You can download the FATE card at usabcd.org/FATE-card

Always be aware that FATE is a supplement to the clinical evaluation

FATE does not substitute a full diagnostic cardiologic echocardiographic examination

You have now learned about relevant pathology which can by recognised by the FATE examination

You should now be able to recognise the following conditions:

The presence of lung sliding excludes pneumothorax

The absence of lung sliding is NOT equal to the presence of pneumothorax

Notice that lung or pleural sliding is only possible if the two pleural blades are in contact with each other

Detailed evaluation of pneumothorax should be performed with a linear or microconvex transducer

The presence of lung or pleural sliding excludes pneumothorax at the scanning point

The presence of just one B-line excludes pneumothorax at the scanning point

During this Basic FATE e-course you have learned to apply the FATE card in the process of learning focused ultrasound for cardiopulmonary optimisation

You have learned the normal sonographic features of the heart and pleura

You have learned to obtain the 6 basic FATE views

You have trained eye-balling of the right and left ventricular function

You are now familiar with M-mode for assessment of cardiac dimensions and function

You can recognise the most important pathologies

You know that FATE also provides a quick guidance to interpret the echocardiographic findings

You know how to use the echocardiographic findings in the clinical context

Patients with cardiac arrest – 2D echocardiography

The characteristics are:

– Immobile myocardium
– Fibrillation

Possibly reversible causes for the cardiac arrest which can be recognised with ultrasound are:

– Pericardial effusion
– Hypovolemia
– Pleural effusion
– Dilated right side (pulmonary embolus signs)
– Dilated left side

The 2D echocardiographic characteristics of pulmonary edema

Look for:
– B-lines

B-lines are white laser-like beams that have their origin from the pleural line and continues to the far end of the image

B-line characteristics:
– One to three is normal at the basic parts of the lungs (position 4)
– B-lines are not normal at the anterior part of thorax
– With increasing amount of lung water the number and density of the B-lines will increase
– The presence of B-lines excludes pneumothorax at the scanning point (pneumothorax can be present in other parts of the thorax)

Pulmonary edema – typical clinical conditions

Should be considered in particular with the following conditions:

– All respiratory compromising conditions
– All conditions with hemodynamic instabillity
– All cardiac failure patients
– COPD exacercabtion
– Shortness of breath, especially if arterial hypertension or hypotension is present
– Volume overload, verified or suspected
– Renal failure