Assessment of a New Ultrasound Algorithm to Diagnose Causes of Sudden Breathlessness in Emergency Departments

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating a new ultrasound algorithm called EMERALD-US to improve diagnosis of acute non-traumatic dyspnea in patients aged 50 and older admitted to emergency departments. The study aims to assess how accurately this ultrasound method can identify the three main causes of dyspnea heart failure, pneumonia, and obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation. This is a prospective multicenter study focusing on the emergency setting where rapid and accurate diagnosis is critical for patient outcomes. The ultrasound exams include lung, cardiac, and vascular scans performed within the first hour after the patients initial medical contact in the emergency department. These exams are done by physicians who are not involved in patient care and are later reviewed blindly by a centralized core laboratory. The study also compares the ultrasound diagnosis with the clinical diagnosis made by emergency physicians. Additional laboratory and radiological tests are collected to assess the algorithms diagnostic accuracy for both common and less frequent causes of dyspnea. Participants will undergo ultrasound examinations lasting up to 30 minutes, alongside routine clinical, laboratory, and imaging assessments. The main outcome measured is the final discharge diagnosis determined by a panel of three senior physicians, based on all clinical data and hospital stay lasting about two weeks. The study also monitors patient management time in the emergency department and 30-day mortality. Researchers will examine the feasibility of using the ultrasound algorithm in emergency settings and its impact on improving diagnostic accuracy and patient survival.

Feasibility and Accuracy of an Ultrasound Algorithm for Acute Dyspnea Diagnosis in the Emergency Department