Use of Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) to Reduce Hospital Length of Stay in Patients With Heart Failure ( POCUSHF )

Summary

This study will evaluate whether using bedside ultrasound (also called Point-of-Care Ultrasound or POCUS) can help improve the care of hospitalized patients with decompensated heart failure. Patients will be randomly assigned to two groups: one group will receive ultrasound-guided assessments, and the other group will receive standard clinical evaluations. Researchers will compare the hospital length of stay between the two groups. Ultrasound is a non-invasive, safe, and painless imaging tool. The goal of the study is to find out if ultrasound guidance can lead to shorter hospitalizations and better care for patients with heart failure.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

Adults aged 18 years and older.

Hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of decompensated heart failure (left, right, or biventricular).

Evidence of volume overload or congestion based on Framingham criteria, clinical examination, elevated proBNP (\>1000 pg/mL), or chest X-ray showing pulmonary edema.

Ability to undergo bedside ultrasound evaluation (POCUS) as clinically feasible.

Able to provide informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

Age under 18 years.

Pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Terminal illness with life expectancy \< 30 days.

Inability to obtain ultrasound images due to body habitus or other technical reasons.

Enrollment in another interventional clinical trial that could interfere with the outcomes of this study.

Conditions4

Locations1 site

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