What side effects are associated with this type of intervention?

Common treatments for heart failure include diuretics, ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and vasodilators. Diuretics can cause electrolyte imbalances, dehydration, and renal dysfunction. ACE inhibitors may lead to cough, hyperkalemia, and renal impairment. Beta-blockers can cause bradycardia, hypotension, and fatigue. Vasodilators, such as nitrates, can result in headaches, hypotension, and dizziness. In acute settings, intravenous vasodilators and inotropes are used, which can cause arrhythmias, hypotension, and increased myocardial oxygen demand.

What prior FDA approvals exist?

FDA-approved treatments for heart failure, particularly those addressing pulmonary congestion, include diuretics like furosemide, which help reduce fluid buildup in the lungs. ACE inhibitors (e.g., enalapril) and beta-blockers (e.g., metoprolol) are standard therapies that improve heart function and reduce symptoms. More recently, ARNI (e.g., sacubitril/valsartan) has been approved for its superior efficacy in reducing heart failure-related hospitalizations and mortality. These treatments aim to manage fluid overload and improve cardiac output, which are critical in addressing pulmonary congestion detected by lung ultrasound.

What other types of research exist?

Promising novel alternatives to Lung Ultrasound for detecting pulmonary congestion in heart failure patients include device-based algorithms that measure intraventricular pressure or intrathoracic impedance, and the use of biomarkers such as Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP).

← Back to Search

Lung Ultrasound for Heart Failure

N/A

Waitlist Available

Research Sponsored by Indiana University

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

Be older than 18 years old

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up 3 years

Awards & highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial tests if using a portable lung ultrasound can help emergency medical personnel quickly and accurately diagnose heart failure in adults with severe shortness of breath.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for adults over 17 years old who are experiencing shortness of breath. It's not suitable for those with a high fever, pregnant women, patients with very low blood pressure, anyone showing certain heart attack signs on an EKG, or trauma patients.

What is being tested?

The study is testing if using lung ultrasound (LUS) in ambulances helps to diagnose acute heart failure better than the usual care without LUS. The goal is to see if this leads to quicker and more accurate treatment.

What are the potential side effects?

Since the intervention involves non-invasive lung ultrasound, there are minimal expected side effects compared to usual medical procedures; however, any discomfort or risks related to standard emergency care still apply.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ 3 years

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~3 years

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and 3 years for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

Diagnostic accuracy of pre-hospital providers for identifying AHF versus not AHF

Secondary study objectives

Rate of initiation of AHF therapies in patients with AHF

Timing of AHF therapies in patients with AHF

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: Usual CareExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Group II: Lung UltrasoundExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Treatment

First Studied

Drug Approval Stage

How many patients have taken this drug

Lung Ultrasound

2016

N/A

~1770

Do I qualify?Apply below to find out

Research Highlights

Information in this section is not a recommendation. We encourage patients to speak with their healthcare team when evaluating any treatment decision.

Mechanism Of Action

Side Effect Profile

Prior Approvals

Other Research

Common treatments for Heart Failure (HF) include diuretics, which help reduce fluid overload and pulmonary congestion by promoting urine production; ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), which lower blood pressure and decrease the heart's workload by inhibiting the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system; beta-blockers, which slow the heart rate and reduce myocardial oxygen demand; and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, which further help in reducing fluid retention and preventing cardiac remodeling. These treatments are crucial for HF patients as they alleviate symptoms, improve quality of life, and reduce the risk of hospitalization and mortality. The use of lung ultrasound (LUS) to detect B-lines can help in early identification of pulmonary congestion, allowing for timely and appropriate adjustments in HF management.