SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Lung Ultrasound-Guided Heart Failure Therapy May Prevent 30-Day Readmissions

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This prospective study examined whether lung ultrasound (LUS)-guided treatment of hospitalized heart failure (HF) patients could reduce 30-day readmissions. Conducted at Stroger Hospital of Cook County, an urban safety-net hospital, the study included patients admitted with an HF-related diagnosis who met Framingham criteria for acute decompensated HF.<br /><br />Researchers used a standardized 8-zone lung ultrasound protocol on a GE Venue machine to detect B-lines, which indicate pulmonary edema. Congestion was defined as three or more B-lines in at least two zones of each hemithorax. LUS was repeated during hospitalization until congestion resolved, and the findings were communicated to the primary team with recommendations to continue diuresis as needed.<br /><br />The study collected baseline demographics, comorbidities, discharge congestion status, treatment decisions, and 30-day readmission outcomes. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS, with chi-square tests for categorical variables, means and standard deviations for numerical data, and ANOVA for significance testing.<br /><br />Key findings suggested that using LUS to guide inpatient HF management may reduce residual pulmonary congestion at discharge and lower 30-day readmissions. The observed readmission rate was 13%, compared with a historical baseline of 25%. Among patients discharged “dry,” only one was readmitted, and that readmission was due to acute kidney injury (AKI), not HF. In total, 39.1% developed inpatient AKI, and several cases might have been preventable with earlier transition to oral diuretics.<br /><br />Overall, the study suggests that a simplified LUS-guided strategy may help improve discharge decongestion and potentially reduce HF-related and AKI-related readmissions without significantly increasing length of stay.

Asset Subtitle

Smriti Khanal

Meta Tag

Author List Bharosa Sharma, Iriagbonse Asemota, Nigist Taddese, Smriti Khanal, Tania Campagnoli, Umair Jabbar

Category Research

Concept Pulmonary Ultrasound

Concept Pulmonary Congestion

Concept Heart Failure

Concept B-lines

Concept 8-zone scanning protocol

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Cook County Health

Presenting Author Smriti Khanal

Track Technology in Hospital Medicine

Keywords

lung ultrasound

heart failure

30-day readmission

pulmonary edema

B-lines

decongestion

diuresis

acute kidney injury

hospitalized patients

prospective study

Pulmonary Ultrasound

Pulmonary Congestion

Heart Failure

B-lines

8-zone scanning protocol