We will first introduce you to the 5 steps of how to perform the eFAST ultrasound exam and then in the following section we will give you examples of all of the major eFAST pathologies you may …

Nov 11, 2025 · Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST) scan is a point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) examination performed at the time of presentation of a trauma patient.

The ultrasound machine should be set on a FAST or abdominal setting with the screen indicator on the left side. Normal findings show regular anatomy and no intraperitoneal or intrathoracic fluid.

In the 1990s the FAST exam using the ultrasound became widely popular after advancement in Europe that showed the specificity around 98% while also allowing for faster and cheaper diagnosis of …

With decades of experience, spread worldwide, and recommended by the most prestigious trauma care guidelines, FAST is a bedside ultrasound to be performed when accessing circulation issues of …

The FAST exam most commonly uses the subxiphoid (alternatively “subcostal”) view to assess the pericardial space. To obtain this view, place the transducer just inferior and to the patient’s right of …

E-FAST (Extended Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma) is a bedside ultrasound protocol designed to detect peritoneal fluid, pericardial fluid, pneumothorax, and/or hemothorax in a trauma …

The FAST exam takes advantage of so-called ‘dependent positions’ in the peritoneal cavity in the supine patient. These positions refer to the areas for preferential free fluid accumulation in the abdomen.

After reviewing this chapter, you should be able to do the following: Understand the importance of the FAST exam and the areas within the body that are assessed. Explore the various techniques used in …

He reviews the indications for and limitations of this rapid bedside assessment for trauma patients and describes the correct tools and techniques for performing these ultrasound scans.