Use of Focused Intensive Care Echo in the diagnosis of Primary Cardiac
Angiosarcoma
Abstract
Focused Intensive Care Echo (FICE) is recommended in critically unwell
patients to assess haemodynamic status and aid decision making. In
certain circumstances, FICE can also be used as a diagnostic tool. We
present a case where FICE identified a large left atrial mass in an
intensive care patient with acute hypoxia and thromboembolic sequelae.
This case demonstrates the importance of FICE in aiding diagnosis in
complex patients where initial investigations are non-diagnostic. FICE
is an essential skill for critical care physicians, and bedside
echocardiography should be a standard investigation for all critical
care patients.