critical care medicine
How To Do E FAST Examination
Additional Considerations for E FAST Examination
The E-FAST examination should be completed in<5 minutes. The pericardial sac is evaluated first, especially after penetrating trauma, because pericardial fluid after trauma can be immediately life-threatening and supersede treatment of other injuries. The E-FAST examination maximizes sensitivity by imaging dependent positions in the peritoneal cavity where fluid preferentially accumulates. This fluid appears as anechoic (black) areas filling the potential spaces. The examination also focuses on interfaces between solid organs in order to maximize fluid visibility. 