Ultrassonografia point-of-care na urgência e emergência: aplicações clínicas e impacto na tomada de decisão

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) provides focused answers to clinical questions at the bedside and may influence decisions in time-sensitive situations. This article aims to analyze its main applications in urgent and emergency care and discuss its impact on decision-making. A narrative review was conducted, critically synthesizing clinical studies, a systematic review, recommendations, and an update article published between 2008 and 2023. The selected literature describes applications in dyspnea, undifferentiated shock, trauma assessment, and vascular procedures. Lung ultrasound supports the evaluation of congestion, pneumothorax, and other causes of respiratory failure; integrated protocols allow the rapid investigation of reversible causes of hemodynamic instability; and eFAST assists initial trauma assessment. A review of resource-limited settings documented changes in diagnostic hypotheses and management after POCUS, but included observational studies at risk of bias and found no evidence of a mortality benefit. POCUS may improve decision-making when integrated with clinical assessment, training, and institutional protocols, without replacing definitive examinations when indicated.