Prediction of rehospitalization in patients with acute heart failure using point-of-care lung ultrasound

Background More than 50% of patients admitted for acute heart failure are discharged with residual pulmonary congestion. Residual pulmonary congestion at discharge is associated with rehospitalization and death within 6 months after discharge. B-lines detected by lung ultrasound are the sonographic manifestation of pulmonary congestion, a major predictor of morbidity and mortality in patients with heart failure. The present study was performed to evaluate the prognostic value of B-lines at discharge for prediction of rehospitalization and death at 6 months in patients with acute heart failure. Methods This study involved a prospective cohort of 126 patients admitted to Ramathibodi Hospital for acute heart failure (mean age, 69 +/- 15 years). B-lines and the size of the inferior vena cava were assessed within 24 h before discharge. The patients were followed up for 6 months after discharge. Results The mean number of B-lines at discharge was 9 +/- 9, and the rate of rehospitalization within 6 months was significantly higher in patients with a significant number of B-lines (>= 12) than in patients with a non-significant number of B-lines (< 12) (log rank chi(2) = 7.74, P = 0.004). In the univariable analysis, the presence of >= 12 B-lines before discharge (hazard ratio = 2.15, 95% confidence interval = 1.27-3.63) was an independent predictor of events at 6 months. Conclusions Residual pulmonary congestion before discharge as detected by point-of-care lung ultrasound predicts rehospitalization for heart failure at 6 months. The presence of non-significant B-lines identifies a subgroup at low risk of rehospitalization for heart failure.