Diagnostic Applications of Point‑of‑Care Ultrasound in Emergency Medicine: A Narrative Review

Point‑of‑care ultrasound (POCUS) has become an integral diagnostic tool in emergency medicine, providing rapid bedside imaging that supports timely clinical decision‑making in acutely ill and injured patients. This narrative review examines the diagnostic applications of POCUS in emergency department settings, with emphasis on trauma assessment, lung ultrasound, focused cardiac ultrasound, evaluation of abdominal aortic aneurysm, and early pregnancy complications. The literature review was conducted using PubMed to identify peer‑reviewed studies relevant to diagnostic POCUS use in emergency medicine. The reviewed evidence demonstrates that POCUS improves diagnostic accuracy, accelerates time to critical interventions, and enhances patient triage across a broad range of emergency presentations. Key diagnostic applications include the focused assessment with sonography in trauma (FAST) and extended FAST examinations, evaluation of acute respiratory and cardiac conditions, rapid bedside identification of abdominal aortic aneurysm, and early detection of ectopic pregnancy. In summary, diagnostic POCUS represents a versatile, efficient, and clinically impactful modality that continues to enhance the delivery of emergency care.