Evaluating Ultrasound of the Inferior Vena Cava and Other Ultrasound Methods to Diagnose Acute Pulmonary Edema in Adults with Sudden Breathing Trouble in the Emergency Department

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the use of point-of-care ultrasound POCUS to diagnose acute pulmonary edema in adults who come to the emergency department with sudden breathing difficulties and respiratory failure. The study focuses on measuring the respiratory variation in the diameter of the inferior vena cava IVC to identify heart-related fluid buildup in the lungs. It also explores whether combining IVC ultrasound with lung and cardiac ultrasound, plus clinical and lab data like hemoglobin and plasma protein changes, improves diagnosis and risk assessment. This is a single-center, prospective observational study enrolling adults aged 18 and older who present with acute dyspnea and respiratory failure. Participants will receive standard clinical evaluations including lab tests and chest imaging, along with ultrasound assessments at admission, one hour later, and when possible, 24 to 48 hours afterward. The study does not involve any experimental treatments but observes and records diagnostic data during routine care. Participants will undergo multiple assessments, including ultrasound scans of the IVC, lungs, and heart, clinical evaluations, and laboratory tests. Researchers will measure the accuracy of IVC diameter changes at admission and after one hour in diagnosing pulmonary edema. They will also analyze early changes in hemoglobin and plasma proteins as indicators of fluid shifts. Clinical outcomes such as hospital admission, need for increased care, and mortality will be tracked, with the overall study period lasting until November 2028.

Acute DYSPnea in the Emergency Department: Diagnostic Value of Point-of-care UltraSound