Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41085596›Full record

ArticleThe ultrasound journal2025

Feasibility and clinical value of nurse-led point-of-care ultrasound screening for prethrombotic state in postoperative cardiac ICU patients: a cross-sectional study.

Jingjing Cheng, Lu Liu, Xuemei Tang, Chunlin Xiang, Yiwei Qin, Yi Zhang, Zhenjie Jiang, Xiaoting Zeng, Ying Wu, Xiaoyu Chen and 3 more

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Article in The ultrasound journal, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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5 · Who and what money

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13 authors.

Jingjing Cheng *Department of Intensive Care Medical Center, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.
Lu Liu *Department of Intensive Care Medical Center, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.
Xuemei TangDepartment of Intensive Care Medical Center, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.
Chunlin XiangDepartment of Intensive Care Medical Center, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.
Yiwei QinThe First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China.
Yi ZhangDepartment of Intensive Care Medical Center, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.
Zhenjie JiangDepartment of Intensive Care Medical Center, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.
Xiaoting ZengDepartment of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Wenjiang District People's Hospital, Chengdu, China.
Ying WuDepartment of Intensive Care Unit, Chengdu Fourth People's Hospital, Chengdu, China.
Xiaoyu ChenDepartment of Intensive Care Medical Center, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.
Fengchun LiuDepartment of Intensive Care Medical Center, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.
Xiaoxiao WuDepartment of Intensive Care Medical Center, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China. wuxiaoxiao@med.uestc.edu.cn.
Yiping WangDepartment of Intensive Care Medical Center, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China. wangyiping@uestc.edu.cn.

Funding

Sichuan Provincial Science and Technology Support Program 2021YFS0380the Suzhou Collaborative Healthcare Foundation, China P071
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPostoperative cardiac ICU patients are at increased risk of developing venous thromboembolism (VTE), yet early identification of prethrombotic state (PTS) remains challenging. Nurse-led point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) offers a non-invasive, real-time tool for vascular screening that may enhance early risk stratification.

objectivesTo determine the prevalence of PTS in postoperative cardiac ICU patients using a nurse-led POCUS protocol, identify associated clinical risk factors, and evaluate the feasibility and clinical value of integrating this screening model into routine nursing care within an interprofessional framework.

methodsThis cross-sectional study included 123 adult patients following cardiac surgery. ICU nurses trained in POCUS independently performed bedside color Doppler scans to detect the "blizzard" sign in lower limb veins. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of PTS. The nurse-led POCUS protocol was implemented collaboratively with doctors, who provided image verification and clinical oversight as needed.

resultsThe "blizzard" sign was observed in 61.8% of patients, most commonly in the popliteal and posterior tibial veins. Nine patients developed deep vein thrombosis, all of whom had prior severe, diffuse-type "blizzard" signs. Independent predictors of PTS included prolonged bed rest (OR 1.016, P = 0.031), elevated peak platelet count (OR 1.007, P = 0.041), and increased postoperative C-reactive protein levels (OR 1.015, P < 0.001). The nurse-led POCUS protocol was implemented successfully with doctor oversight and demonstrated high feasibility and diagnostic yield.

conclusionNurse-led POCUS is a feasible, non-invasive approach for early identification of PTS in postoperative cardiac ICU patients. Embedding such screening protocols into nursing workflows may support timely thromboprophylaxis, expand nursing roles in advanced assessment, and enhance interprofessional ICU care delivery.

Indexed as

Cardiac surgical proceduresCritical care nursingInterprofessional relationsNurse-led POCUSPrethrombotic state

Identifiers

PMID41085596
PMCPMC12521683

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.