Quantification of pleural effusions on thoracic ultrasound in acute heart failure.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Although pleural effusions are common among patients with acute heart failure, the relevance of pleural effusion size assessed on thoracic ultrasound has not been investigated systematically.

Methods

In this prospective observational study, we included patients hospitalised for acute heart failure and performed a thoracic ultrasound early after admission (thoracic ultrasound 1) and at discharge (thoracic ultrasound 2) independently of routine clinical management. A semiquantitative score was applied offline blinded to clinical findings to categorise and monitor pleural effusion size.

Results

Among 188 patients (median age 72 years, 62% men, 78% white, median left ventricular ejection fraction 38%), pleural effusions on thoracic ultrasound 1 were present in

SUBMITTER: Lindner M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7644143 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature