Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39365472›Full record

ArticleArchives of gynecology and obstetrics2025

Evaluating the accuracy and reliability of non-piezo portable ultrasound devices in postpartum care.

Ruben Plöger, Charlotte Behning, Adeline Walter, Agnes Wittek, Ulrich Gembruch, Brigitte Strizek, Florian Recker

Abstract read
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Article in Archives of gynecology and obstetrics, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Ruben PlögerDepartment of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
Charlotte BehningInstitute for Medical Biometry, Informatics and Epidemiology, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
Adeline WalterDepartment of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
Agnes WittekDepartment of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
Ulrich GembruchDepartment of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
Brigitte StrizekDepartment of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
Florian ReckerDepartment of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany. florian.recker@ukbonn.de.ORCID 0000-0001-9135-4338

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionThe early diagnosis of hemorrhage via postpartum ultrasound is crucial to initiate therapy and, thus, prevent maternal death. In these critical situations rapid availability and simple transport of ultrasound devices is vital, paving the way for a  new generation of portable handheld ultrasound devices (PUD) consisting of transducers and tablets or smart phones. However, evidence to confirm the diagnostic accuracy of these new devices is still scarce.

methodsThe accuracy and reliability of these new devices in relation to established standard ultrasound devices is analyses in this pilot study by comparing diagnoses and by applying statistical analysis via Bland-Altman plots, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), and Pearson correlation coefficients (PCC). One hundred patients of a university hospital were included in this study.

resultsIn all cases, the same diagnosis was made regardless of the applied ultrasound device, confirming high accuracy. There was a high correlation (PCC 0.951) and excellent agreement (ICC 0.974) in the assessment of the cavum, while the assessment of the diameters of the uterus showed only a good correlation and a good agreement. Subgroup analysis for maternal weight, mode of delivery and day after delivery was performed 

conclusionThe same diagnosis independent of the used devices and excellent results of the cavum assessment promote the use of PUDs in a clinical setting. The slightly lower accuracy in the measurement of the uterus may be caused by the PUD's small acoustic window, reflecting one of its weaknesses. Therefore, the patient may benefit from the short time to diagnosis and the unbound location of examination, either in the delivery room, on the ward, or at home.

Indexed as

Point-of-Care SystemsPostnatal CarePostpartum HemorrhageUterusAdultFemaleHumansPilot ProjectsPregnancyReproducibility of ResultsUltrasonographyYoung AdultAtonyChip-basedGynecologyHandheld ultrasoundObstetricsPiezo-basedPlacental residuesPOCUSPoint-of-care ultrasoundPostpartum complicationsPuerperiumSemiconductorsUterus

Identifiers

PMID39365472
PMCPMC11985615

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