As we wrap up another great year at Sasksonic, we are thrilled to learn that one of our own recently took home POCUS-Toronto’s “Case of the Year” award!

USask EM’s Dr. Puneet Kapur (PGY5 EM, @Kapurp) was recognized for his stellar case submission involving identification and test performance of several transthoracic echo findings as they relate to identifying acute pulmonary embolism. Many of you have heard of the value of each of the following findings as they relate to distinguishing acute from chronic RV strain:

Here are clips from the actual case that show RV dilation in the PSL and McConell’s sign in the A4C. Despite these – it may remain challenging to reliably determine acute vs chronic strain (see details in the cited article below).

Well, don’t give up hope – introducing RVOT systolic excursion! This measurement is obtained using the parasternal short axis view at the level of the aortic valve.

It appears that measuring RVOT systolic excursion (as a percentage of end-diastolic RVOT diameter minus end-systolic RVOT diameter divided by end-diastolic RVOT diameter) is both specific and highly sensitive for acute PE. Analysis of right ventricular outflow tract systolic excursion showed that a value <24.3% can be found in acute pulmonary embolism patients with 100% sensitivity and 95.56% specificity (AUC = 0.987, P < 0.0001).

Sounds promising – looking forward to hearing and learning more about this.

We’re proud of Puneet! And while we’re at it – big thanks to the team at POCUS-Toronto for giving trainees like Dr. Kapur an opportunity to learn and excel in emergency POCUS.

Want to learn more about RVOT systolic excursion and acute RV strain? Check out the article below:

1. Lõpez-Candales A, Edelman K. Right ventricular outflow tract systolic excursion: A distinguishing echocardiographic finding in acute pulmonary embolism. Echocardiography. 2013;30(6):649-657. doi:10.1111/echo.12120.