Emergency Medicine (Basic)
1 day
AAA & DVT Ultrasound Course
ASUM, RACGP
Course highlights
- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)
- Proximal Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Course Dates
Description
Ultrasound is a non-invasive and reliable method for diagnosing Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). Early detection of DVT is crucial for prompt intervention and prevention of complications such as pulmonary embolism. If a patient presents with symptoms such as swelling, pain, tenderness, or redness in the leg, a DVT ultrasound is often performed to confirm or rule out the presence of a blood clot.
Ruling out Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) is common in the emergency department. As there is a high mortality rate with ruptured AAA, it is a medical urgency to exclude a AAA. Ultrasound may be used rapidly to rule out a AAA and affect management decisions such as sending the patient for further testing such as CT. In the shocked patient, transport to CT is a major undertaking. Point of care ultrasound (PoCUS) enables easier risk stratification of a patient to safely direct their care.Â
This AAA & DVT ultrasound course will include ultrasound machine optimisation including tips and traps and anatomy familiarisation on real patient models. After a machine familiarisation session and sono-anatomy lesson, you will be taught how to acquire a set of scans that adequately rule out AAA and DVT. Throughout the day you will practice the skill on patients and learn what to do for the more challenging body habitus. By the end of the day you should be able to scan, identify and interpret a set of scans to support your clinical decision.
Who should attend?
- Emergency Physician
- Emergency Medicine Physician
- General Physician
- General Practitioner
- General Surgeon
- Geriatrician
- ICU Registrar
- Junior House Officer
- Nurse
- Nurse Practitioner
- Paediatrician
- Palliative Medicine Physician
- Retrieval Medicine Physician
- Rural Generalist
- Rural Medicine Physician
- Senior House Officer
- Paramedic
Objectives
The objectives of this AAA & DVT ultrasound course are:
- Identify the parameters of safe application of ultrasound and its limitations in medical diagnosis;
- Identify the physical principles, artefacts and the steps for image optimisation while performing ultrasound;
- Recognise the sonographic appearances of normal and abnormal structures required to answer common clinical questions;
- Practice hands-on ultrasound scanning skills required to maximise diagnostic ability in answering relevant clinical questions;
- Identify and scan the abdominal aorta in longitudinal and transverse;
- Identify and scan central vessels such as IVC;
- Identify and scan the deep peripheral venous system of the lower limb.
- Perform abdominal aortic and deep vein thrombotic ultrasound scanning protocol and recognise when and where to extend the study to preserve life;
- Recognise the variants and abnormalities from presentations and case-based learning;
- Document the ultrasound findings.
Prerequisites
The prior ultrasound experience assumed for this course is highlighted below.
| None/Minimal | Don’t use ultrasound |
| Limited | Use ultrasound weekly/monthly |
| Moderate/Experienced | Use ultrasound daily/weekly |
Accreditation
ASUM
ASUMCCPU units included in the course:
- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)
- Proximal Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
RACGP
RACGPCPD Accredited Activity under RACGP 2023-25 CPD program. Approved for Educational Activities 2.5 hours, Reviewing Performance 5.5 hours, specific requirements diagnostic radiology, 1 days Anaesthetics, Obstetrics, Surgery and Emergency Medicine training grants. Provider Number 214288, Activity ID 650414.
HOURS
| Theoretical | 2.5 |
| Practical | 3.5 |
| Total | 6 |
CATERING
Morning tea, a light lunch and refreshments are provided.