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This article presents a study conducted to assess the potential value of hand-carried ultrasound (HCU) devices in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with pleural effusion after cardiac surgery. Seventy consecutive patients were evaluated at bedside early after cardiac surgery, in the upright sitting position, using an HCU device on hospital admission and every 3 days until hospital discharge. On hospital admission and at hospital discharge, a standard chest radiograph was performed in all patients, and was qualitatively scored. The results showed that a chest ultrasound was feasible in all patients.