The Expanding Role of POCUS in Anesthesiology: Insights from a New Review

In the dynamic environment of perioperative and critical care medicine, anesthesiologists face an ever-evolving set of diagnostic and procedural challenges. A recent comprehensive review published in Cureus underscores the pivotal role of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in transforming clinical practice for anesthesiologists. The study, led by experts from Max Super Speciality Hospital, Mayo Clinic Arizona, and the Medical College of Wisconsin, outlines how POCUS is increasingly being integrated into standard care pathways to improve safety, speed, and clinical outcomes.

Procedural Precision & Diagnostic Speed

In vascular access, POCUS has become a critical tool for anesthesiologists dealing with challenging IV placement and central line insertion. Real-time visualization improves success rates and significantly reduces complications, particularly in high-risk populations like pediatric, obese, and critically ill patients.

Airway management, another cornerstone of anesthetic care, benefits from ultrasound’s ability to accurately locate the cricothyroid membrane, verify endotracheal tube placement, and identify anatomical markers of difficult intubation—especially when traditional methods are unreliable or time is limited.

Expanding Applications in Perioperative Practice

The utility of POCUS extends far beyond procedural guidance. Gastric ultrasound helps assess aspiration risk in patients with uncertain NPO status, diabetic gastroparesis, or GI obstruction. Diaphragm ultrasound enables anesthesiologists to detect dysfunction early, improving ventilator weaning strategies and minimizing postoperative complications.

Intraoperatively and postoperatively, focused cardiac ultrasound (FoCUS) and lung ultrasound (LUS) support rapid hemodynamic assessment, identifying shock etiologies and respiratory conditions like pleural effusion, ARDS, and pulmonary edema with higher sensitivity than chest X-rays. Additionally, newer tools such as the Venous Excess Ultrasound (VExUS) protocol are providing real-time insights into fluid overload and systemic venous congestion, aiding in fluid management strategies.

Raising the Standard in Regional Anesthesia

POCUS has also revolutionized the practice of regional anesthesia. Ultrasound-guided neuraxial and peripheral nerve blocks have become standard of care, improving accuracy, reducing procedural time, and minimizing complications such as vascular puncture and nerve injury. These advancements not only enhance patient safety but also increase procedural confidence among providers.

Building the Future of Perioperative Ultrasound Competency

As the evidence base supporting POCUS continues to grow, its integration into anesthesiology training and clinical pathways is becoming essential. With proven benefits across multiple domains—diagnostic, procedural, and educational—the conversation is no longer about if anesthesiologists should use POCUS, but how quickly they can become proficient.

How SonoSim Helps Anesthesiologists Master POCUS

SonoSim offers a comprehensive solution to the most common barriers in ultrasound education. With the SonoSimulator®, learners can gain unlimited hands-on scanning experience using real patient cases that mirror the complexities encountered in perioperative and critical care environments. Whether developing vascular access skills, performing gastric and airway scans, or refining FoCUS and LUS techniques, clinicians can build both confidence and competence in a risk-free virtual environment.

SonoSim’s training ecosystem also includes guided probe positioning, expert-narrated case findings, and performance feedback—ensuring that anesthesiologists are better prepared for the clinical realities of ultrasound use. By enabling scalable, standardized, and flexible ultrasound education, SonoSim empowers healthcare institutions and individual practitioners alike to meet the growing demands of modern perioperative care.