Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) Exam Performed by an Anesthesiologist Changes Obstetric Management

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) exams have been shown to impact perioperative patient care. Involvement in antepartum obstetric patients has not been previously described. We report a case of a parturient with chronic hypertension in new-onset respiratory distress. The anesthesiologist performed cardiac and lung POCUS exams that identified new-onset systolic heart failure and contributed to her diagnosis of preeclampsia with severe features. These findings guided the initiation of inotropic therapy and diuresis. The patient ultimately required transfer to a center able to perform more advanced obstetric and cardiac care, including extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). The patient delivered via cesarean section under general anesthesia and was weaned off inotropes. This demonstrates how POCUS can guide the management of complex antepartum patients to change obstetric management.