Test performance of point-of-care ultrasound for gastric content.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to determine test performance characteristics of emergency physician ultrasound for the identification of gastric contents.


METHODS
Subjects were randomized to fast for at least 10 h or to consume food and water. A sonologist blinded to the patient's status performed an ultrasound of the stomach 10 min after randomization and oral intake, if applicable. The sonologist recorded their interpretation of the study using three sonographic windows. Subsequently 2 emergency physicians reviewed images of each study and provided an interpretation of the examination. Test performance characteristics and inter-rater agreement were calculated.


RESULTS
45 gastric ultrasounds were performed. The sonologist had excellent sensitivity (92%; 95% CI 73%-99%) and specificity (85%; 95% CI 62%-92%). Expert review demonstrated excellent sensitivity but lower specificity. Inter-rater agreement was very good (κ = 0.64, 95%CI 0.5-0.78).


CONCLUSION
Emergency physician sonologists were sensitive but less specific at detecting stomach contents using gastric ultrasound.
['Mackenzie|David C|DC|', 'Azad|Aftab M|AM|', 'Noble|Vicki E|VE|', 'Liteplo|Andrew S|AS|']
D000328:Adult D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital D005766:Gastrointestinal Contents D006801:Humans D008297:Male D015588:Observer Variation D000067716:Point-of-Care Testing D053120:Respiratory Aspiration D012307:Risk Factors D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity D016037:Single-Blind Method D014463:Ultrasonography
Ultrasound Stomach Point-of-care testing Respiratory aspiration Sedation