Document Classification

Section Type: METHODS

Text: 20 consecutive in-hospital patients underwent, within 15'and in random order, 2 ultrasound examinations for ULCs by 2 observers with different specific expertise and different technology : 1) '' high-tech veteran '' : ULCs assessment with full feature echocardiographic platform (HP Sonos 7500 Philips Medical Systems, Andover, MA, USA) by a trained echocardiologist, with > or = 2 years expertise in ULCs assessment and accredited by the European Association of Echocardiography ; 2) and a '' low-tech beginner '' : ULCs assessment with hand-held echocardiography (Optigo ; Philips, Andover, MA) by an echocardiographer with very limited (30') dedicated training on ULCs assessment.