Saudi Arabian Society Of Echocardiography Recommendations For Echocardiography Service During Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Outbreak

We are summarizing the recommendations for the use of Echocardiography in patients during COVID-19 pandemic The patient risk for COVID-19 should be assessed according to the Saudi CDC guidelines Echocardiography should only be performed of considered appropriate and will likely alter the clinical decision In COVID-19 suspected/ confirmed patients, echocardiography study should be performed bedside and in infection control approved area with airborne precaution Limited focused imaging is recommended to minimize contact time A dedicated machine for COVID-19 suspected/confirmed cases is recommended Transesophageal echocardiography is considered an aerosol generating procedure;therefore, an alternative modality should be strongly considered In COVID-19 suspected/ confirmed patients, a transesophageal echocardiogram should be done only under strict airborne precaution In low risk patient for COVID-19, Transesophageal echocardiography should be done with a minimum of droplet precaution, however;N95 respirator is preferred to surgical mask in this situation