TTE FOCUS Views vs NYSORA Nerve Blocks

In the practice of anesthesia, critical care and emergency medicine there is often a need for a quick, qualitative assessment of cardiac function. Focused Cardiac Ultrasound (FOCUS) is the process of carrying out this rapid qualitative assessment by practitioners in these fields. Training for carrying out a FOCUS assessment requires practitioners to understand the 3D structures of the heart that are seen in the 2D transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) image. We have created this interactive application to assist with teaching and learning the assessment of normal and pathologic cardiac function with FOCUS. FOCUS assessments are based on a subset of 5 of the 20 standard TTE views: Parasternal long axis Parasternal short axis Apical four chamber Subcostal four chamber Subcostal inferior vena cava Users can view the TTE recordings for each of the 5 FOCUS views and see a corresponding 3D model of the probe, ultrasound plane, heart and rib cage for each view. Each FOCUS view can be selected from a menu at the left of the screen, or by using arrow buttons to go to the next or previous view in the list. For each view, the 3D model of the probe, ultrasound plane, heart and rib cage can be rotated in the horizontal or vertical plane to view it from any angle. The rib cage can be removed, the part of the heart above the echo plane can be removed, and the heart model can be oriented so the structures correspond to the TTE image. This module reviews the use of FOCUS to assess pericardial abnormalities of localised effusion and tamponade and their effect on cardiac function. *NOTE: This app has not yet been updated to include the right ventricle, left ventricle and hypovolemic pathologies found on the website. http://pie.med.utoronto.ca/TTE/TTE_content/focus.html

A trusted reference for ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia, used by anesthesiologists and pain specialists worldwide. The app supports clinical preparation and learning across a wide range of regional anesthesia techniques. Covering nerve block procedures from head and neck to upper and lower extremities, thoracic, and abdominal wall blocks, it brings structured guidance and clear anatomy into one focused reference. Commonly performed techniques such as TAP (Transversus Abdominis Plane) block, ESP (Erector Spinae Plane) block, Interscalene Brachial Plexus Block, and Popliteal Sciatic Nerve Block are presented alongside many other approaches, each with ultrasound-focused visuals, functional anatomy, and step-by-step preparation. Designed for everyday use, the app combines sonoanatomy, patient positioning, and block-specific considerations to support confident decision-making before and during clinical practice. Developed by NYSORA, a global educational organization dedicated to advancing regional anesthesia through structured, practice-focused education.