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Bedside cardiovascular diagnosis by examination, palpation and auscultation is sub-optimal, even when performed by experts. While the diagnostic accuracy of imaging techniques is superior to physical examination, the feasibility of its integration into bedside examination has been precluded by the size and cost of imaging technology. Beyond these practical limitations, expertise in image acquisition and assessment is required. Nonetheless, these problems could be resolved by a low cost, easy to use, portable imaging device that could be used routinely at the bedside. Small, high-resolution cardiac ultrasound units have been developed. Published studies have demonstrated a remarkable increase in the accuracy of cardiovascular diagnosis by cardiologists and non-cardiologists when they added a brief cardiac ultrasound study to their conventional physical examination. This new diagnostic methodology is becoming common practice among cardiologists and non- cardiologists. As its use is becoming more popular, several factors must be resolved, such as: Which personnel may use it? Is the training necessary or compulsory? Which entities are responsible for training and continuous education? decisions regarding documentation, of findings and exams, and more. In this review, we will provide the latest literature updates and discuss whether there is enough evidence to justify the use of ultrasound mobile devices for a focused ultrasound examination to complement the traditional physical examination.

The shortage of available donor hearts limits the number of cardiac transplantations worldwide and in Israel as well. This organ shortage results in 15%-20% annual mortality of heart transplant candidates. For the sub-group of hospitalized decompensated heart failure patients depending on continuous inotropic support (Status I), the annual mortality is over 50%. Suboptimal utilization of donor hearts has been one of the reasons for the organ shortage. In 2004, only 42% of the potential donor hearts in Israel were eventually transplanted. The objective of this report is to define guidelines regarding the suitability of potential cardiac donors allowing more liberal criteria for accepting borderline donor hearts. Implementing the new guidelines will permit the utilization of organs that otherwise would have been discarded.