Application of Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma in the Intensive Care Unit

The Extended-Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (E-FAST) allows clinicians to rapidly diagnose traumatic thoracoabdominal injuries at the bedside without ionizing radiation. It has high specificity and is extremely useful as an initial test to rule in dangerous diagnoses such as hemoperitoneum , pericardial effusion , hemothorax , and pneumothorax . Its moderate sensitivity means that it should not be used alone as a tool to rule out dangerous thoracoabdominal injuries. In patients with a concerning mechanism or presentation, additional imaging should be obtained despite a negative FAST examination.