Protocol FAST

ultrasonography in abdominal trauma

Abstract

Abdominal Trauma is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in an age group that includes teens and young adults, leading to great economic and social impact. The Emergency Ultrasound is known by the acronym FAST. The FAST protocol has been highly recommended by several international companies, since the last decade, winning fans for its reproducibility, lack of patient exposure to radiation, and ease of examination to the bedside. Should be used in patients with blunt abdominal trauma, blunt chest trauma and / or penetrating, and these patients were stable or unstable. The primary purpose of FAST ultrasound, developed in an atmosphere of emergency and intensive care is to detect rapidly injuries that require surgical management such as cardiac tamponade, rupture of solid organ in the abdominal cavity (hemorrhagic shock), and free fluid in cavities (peritoneum, pleura and pericardium). The ultrasound over the years has been gaining increasing prominence in emergency diagnostic procedures.