Vascular ultrasound

Description

Ultrasonography was introduced into clinical practice in the early 1970s and  since then has made a rapid progress particularly in the field of Anesthesia. Ultrasound is a safe, portable, relatively inexpensive, and easily accessible imaging modality, making it a useful diagnostic and monitoring tool in Anesthesia. Anesthesiologists encounter a variety of emergent situations and may benefit from the application of such a rapid and accurate diagnostic tool in their routine practice. Clinicians routinely performing vascular access procedures  should have adequate training in ultrasound. Ultrasound combines the puncture process with diagnosis and detection of anatomic variations, lesions, and complications, which makes it a powerful tool for vascular access. Patients thus benefit from a reduced rate of complications. Anesthesiologists, in the near future, may need to carry a portable ultrasound around their neck instead of a stethoscope.