Indication | Hypotensive trauma patient | Re-evaluation of trauma patient | Abdominal pain following hip arthroscopy | Patient who is critically ill in PACU |
Acquisition | Evaluate all four views of the FAST exam | Evaluate Morison's pouch and other views of the FAST exam | Evaluate Morison's pouch, splenorenal interface, and pelvis views | Evaluate all four views of the FAST exam, and consider cardiac, lung, IVC, and aorta views |
Interpretation | Evidence of free fluid on at least one abdominal view | Evidence of free fluid on at least one view | Evidence of free fluid on at least one view, suggestive of intra-abdominal fluid extravasation | Evidence of free fluid |
Management | Proceed to the operating room for laparotomy | Consider additional imaging if the patient is stable, or proceed directly to the operating room for laparotomy | Consider inpatient management for intra-abdominal fluid extravasation | Consider returning to the operating room for surgical exploration |
FAST, focused assessment with sonography in trauma; IVC, inferior vena cava.