5 Min Sono E-FAST - Click to Learn More

Clinical Indication

Blunt and penetrating trauma, hypotension/shock, ruptured ectopic pregnancy, ascites, aiding in paracentesis

Probe Selection

Sector or Curvilinear

Tips

• Start with the subxyphoid view first, this will change immediate management (i.e. ED thoracotomy)

• The RUQ view (coronal plane) should contain the R lung base (R4), Morison's pouch (the most dependent portion in a supine patient), and the liver tip

• The LUQ view (coronal plane) should contain the L lung base (L4), the tip of the spleen, and the spleno-renal recess

• The pelvic/suprapubic view (transverse and sagittal planes) should image the recto-vesicular pouch in males and the Pouch of Douglas in females

• Extended FAST (E-FAST) includes lung views to evaluate for PTX, apical first in an upright patient, anterior in a supine patient

• Consider an E-FAST as part of your overall RUSH exam (Rapid Ultrasound in Shock) in any patient with undifferentiated hypotension. More on that here.