Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Echo system in your pocket: Rich in potential, niche uses for now

MARCH 14, 2011 | Steve Stiles

New York, NY - An echocardiography system that conveniently slips into a coat pocket might seem a natural for cardiologists: a readily available window into the heart and how it's functioning, far more informative and flashy than the venerable stethoscope. And some of the first published outpatient data comparing the iPhone-sized devices to more familiar "lab-sized" systems showcase their potential in screening and in evaluating outpatients with suspected cardiac disease.
But that might not be enough for the cardiovascular specialist. US experts who spoke with heartwire said that while the pocket-sized devices seem exceptionally useful and possibly game-changing for certain situations, they will probably be more valuable to general internists, hospitalists, or emergency-department personnel, at least in the US, where they haven't really caught on with cardiologists./.../

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