Cardiac POCUS Navigator
Cardiac POCUS · 6 Views · Free Access

Cardiac POCUS Navigator

Focused Cardiac Ultrasound (FoCUS)

Goal-directed cardiac POCUS — LV/RV function, pericardial effusion, tamponade physiology, and volume assessment with 6 standard views.

Exam Progress0 / 25 items
14 critical items not yet assessed

Shock Differentiation — Quick Reference

Hyperdynamic LV + small cavity + collapsing IVC: Hypovolaemia — fluid responsive
Severely reduced LV function + dilated LV: Cardiogenic shock — ACS, DCM, myocarditis
Pericardial effusion + RV collapse + plethoric IVC: Cardiac tamponade — emergent pericardiocentesis
Dilated RV + D-sign + McConnell's sign: Massive PE — consider thrombolysis
Normal LV/RV + collapsing IVC: Distributive shock (sepsis/anaphylaxis) — vasopressors
Position: Left lateral decubitus. Marker toward right shoulder (10–11 o'clock). Depth 14–16 cm. Optimize for LV, MV, and aortic root.
LV systolic function — visual EFCritical
LV cavity size — end-diastolic diameter
Pericardial effusion — posterior stripeCritical
Mitral valve — gross morphology
Aortic root diameter (normal < 3.7 cm)
RV — qualitative size assessment
Clinical Pearls
  • EPSS (E-point septal separation) >10 mm correlates with EF <40%
  • Pericardial effusion: descending aorta is posterior to effusion; pleural effusion is posterior to aorta
  • Posterior pericardial effusion appears first in PLAX
POCUS-Assist™ Engine
Guideline-based calculators for cardiac POCUS findings