Identification of Sonographic B-lines with Linear Transducer Predicts Elevated B-Type Natriuretic Peptide Level.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

This study sought to correlate the presence of pleural-based B-lines seen by emergency department ultrasound performed with the linear transducer with B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level in patients with suspected congestive heart failure.

Methods

The study was a prospective convenience sample on adult patients in an academic, urban emergency department with over 100,000 annual patient visits. Adult patients with a BNP level ordered by the treating physician were prospectively enrolled by one of four physicians, blinded to the BNP level. The enrolling physicians included an emergency ultrasound director, two emergency ultrasound fellows, and a senior emergency medicine resident. Bedside ultrasound was performed using a 3-12 MHz linear broadband transducer in fou

SUBMITTER: Manson WC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3088384 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature