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Cardiovascular Ultrasound
Published in: Cardiovascular Ultrasound 1/2015

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Research

Persistent pulmonary congestion before discharge predicts rehospitalization in heart failure: a lung ultrasound study

Authors: Luna Gargani, P. S. Pang, F. Frassi, M.H. Miglioranza, F. L. Dini, P. Landi, E. Picano

Published in: Cardiovascular Ultrasound | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

Background

B-lines evaluated by lung ultrasound (LUS) are the sonographic sign of pulmonary congestion, a major predictor of morbidity and mortality in patients with heart failure (HF). Our aim was to assess the prognostic value of B-lines at discharge to predict rehospitalization at 6 months in patients with acute HF (AHF).

Methods

A prospective cohort of 100 patients admitted to a Cardiology Department for dyspnea and/or clinical suspicion of AHF were enrolled (mean age 70 ± 11 years). B-lines were evaluated at admission and before discharge. Subjects were followed-up for 6-months after discharge.

Results

Mean B-lines at admission was 48 ± 48 with a statistically significant reduction before discharge (20 ± 23, p < .0001). During follow-up, 14 patients were rehospitalized for decompensated HF. The 6-month event-free survival was highest in patients with less B-lines (≤ 15) and lowest in patients with more B-lines (> 15) (log rank χ2 20.5, p < .0001). On multivariable analysis, B-lines > 15 before discharge (hazard ratio [HR] 11.74; 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.30–106.16) was an independent predictor of events at 6 months.

Conclusions

Persistent pulmonary congestion before discharge evaluated by ultrasound strongly predicts rehospitalization for HF at 6-months. Absence or a mild degree of B-lines identify a subgroup at extremely low risk to be readmitted for HF decompensation.
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Metadata
Title
Persistent pulmonary congestion before discharge predicts rehospitalization in heart failure: a lung ultrasound study
Authors
Luna Gargani
P. S. Pang
F. Frassi
M.H. Miglioranza
F. L. Dini
P. Landi
E. Picano
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Cardiovascular Ultrasound / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 1476-7120
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12947-015-0033-4

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