Added Diagnostic Value of Point of Care Ultrasound in Acute Dyspnea: a Prospective Observational Study

What this Trial Is About

Dyspnea, or shortness of breath, is a common and urgent problem in the Emergency Department that requires quick and accurate diagnosis to ensure timely treatment. Researchers are evaluating whether point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), performed by emergency medicine specialists and residents with limited ultrasound training, can improve diagnostic accuracy for patients with dyspnea compared to routine assessments. This study focuses on several important diagnoses such as heart failure, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, and exacerbations of chronic lung diseases. In this prospective observational study, specially trained emergency physicians will use a structured ultrasound protocol to examine the lungs, heart, and inferior vena cava of adult patients presenting with severe dyspnea or low oxygen levels. After an initial routine clinical assessment, the physician will estimate the likelihood of key diagnoses. Following this, a certified colleague will perform POCUS and share the results, allowing the initial physician to update their diagnostic estimates. Additional tests like chest imaging and blood markers will also be collected as part of routine care. Participants will be adults arriving with serious respiratory distress or hypoxia in the Emergency Department. Researchers will compare the diagnostic accuracy before and after POCUS by reviewing the final discharge diagnosis. Outcome measures include sensitivity and specificity of diagnoses such as heart failure and pneumonia. Safety is monitored by ensuring no delay in urgent care, and all patients will undergo routine clinical testing. The study aims to improve diagnostic tools for emergency doctors and enhance patient care during acute breathlessness episodes.

Added Diagnostic Value of Point of Care Ultrasound in Acute Dyspnea