Imaging congestion with a pocket ultrasound device - prognostic implications in patients with chronic heart failure.

• AIMS: Venous congestion is common in patients with chronic heart failure (HF). We used a pocket-sized ultrasound imaging device (PID) to assess the patient's congestive status and related our findings to prognosis.METHODS AND RESULTS: 104 consecutive outpatients from an HF outpatient clinic were studied. Interstitial lung water (ILW), pleural effusion (PE) and the diameter of the vena cava inferior (VCI) were assessed using a PID. ILW was assessed by demonstration of B-lines (comet tail artefact (CTA). Out of the 104 patients, 28 had CTA, and eight had PE. Median VCI diameter was 18 mm, ±14/22 mm (quartiles). Each of these parameters correlated weakly (r= 0.26-0.37, p< 0.05) with the HF biomarker NT-proBNP. During the median follow-up time of 530 days, 14 hospitalizations deaths and 7 deaths were registered. Findings of CTA, PE or a composite of both, increased the risk of death or hospitalization (hazard ratio 3-4, p< 0.05). After adjustment for age, cardiac systolic function and NT-proBNP, this difference remained significant for CTA alone and CTA + PE combined, but not for PE alone.CONCLUSION: By using a handheld ultrasound device, signs of pulmonary congestion could be demonstrated. When found, these had a significant prognostic impact in clinically stable HF.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Kardiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems (hsv//eng)

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