Abstract
Background: The concept of medical ultrasound (US) was first postulated in the 1950s. Its role remained primarily experimental until the 1970s when the US started to gain recognition in the clinical settings. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is the term that is used to describe ultrasound examination within an emergency medicine setting. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) should be used in a quick and focused way to identify specific US-sensitive conditions. Objectives: In this paper, we will review the available literature discussing the role of the US in emergency medicine. We will additionally discuss the roles of POCUS inside the emergency department. Methodology: We conducted the literature search within the PubMed database using the keywords: "ultrasound" and "POCUS" and "emergency medicine" and "point of care ultrasound" "echocardiography" and "FAST" between 1990 and 2020. Review: Cardiac US (CUS) is used in the evaluation of cardiac function through multiple US-views. For example, a parasternal long view is used to evaluate the mitral valve and the ventricle. The Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST) is considered an integral part of current trauma evaluation. It offers a fast assessment of free-fluid within the abdominal, pericardial, and pelvic cavities. Conclusion: In conclusion, ultrasound has transformed the way emergency physicians work by supplying them with an effective instrument that has allowed them to rapidly obtain data and act on it. Emergency physicians need to be aware of the vital role that the US plays which will allow them to report more useful insight to manage patients, thereby enhancing the quality of care.