The Utility of Ultrasound for distinguishing heart failure from other causes of dyspnoea in older persons.

Diagnosing causes of alveolar interstitial syndrome with ultrasound.

Grant ID: SS-2010-138-BAKER-DYSPNOEA

Project Summary

Elderly people often present to the emergency department short of breath. The two most common causes – heart failure and chronic lung disease- appear much the same but need very different treatments. Differentiating the two relies on taking a good history, performing an examination and doing basic investigations such as blood tests, electrocardiogram and chest x-ray (CXR). The most accurate diagnosis from the early tests is when the CXR shows a pattern called ‘alveolar interstitial syndrome’ (AIS). An experienced doctor then adds this piece of information to other parts of the history and clinical findings, to decide if the AIS is due to pulmonary oedema (heart failure). CXR has been shown to be very specific at identifying AIS, but not very sensitive. So even with these tests, the wrong diagnosis may be made and the wrong treatment commenced. This study will look at the usefulness of lung ultrasound (LUS) in demonstrating AIS, giving an alternative to CXR for differentiating heart failure from chronic lung disease. Previous studies have shown that in the hands of intensivists, it is significantly more accurate and sensitive than CXR. If we can replicate these results in Australia, in an Emergency department, we may be able to replace CXR with a safer, faster and, cheaper and more reliable alternative.


Outcomes

The original research aims and hypotheses were achieved. The study formed a pilot for a subsequent multicentre project, allowing calculation of costs as power estimations. Results showed that the selected protocol remained robust and useful in the hands of relatively inexperienced junior doctors in an Australian emergency department and is an improvement on current diagnostic practices. The research suggests that lung ultrasound for pulmonary oedema should be a core skill taught to junior doctors. The research suggests that it is a skill that might be successfully extended to areas of lesser resourcing, such as rural remote and retrieval situations.


Dissemination

Baker, K., Soong, L., Harding, T., Wain, A., Cheah, J., Mitchell, G. and Brierley, S., 2015. Sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of novices integrating lung ultrasound into the care of breathless older patients. Australasian journal of ultrasound in medicine, 18(4), pp.143-145.

Baker, K., Mitchell, G., Thompson, A.G., Stieler, G. and Rippey, J., 2015. Lung ultrasound in heart failure: Lessons from re‐analysis of Lung Ultrasound 2011 database. Australasian journal of ultrasound in medicine, 18(1), pp.10-18.

Baker, K., Mitchell, G. and Stieler, G., 2013. Limited lung ultrasound protocol in elderly patients with breathlessness; agreement between bedside interpretation and stored images as acquired by experienced and inexperienced sonologists. Australasian Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine,16(2), pp.86-92.

Baker, K., Mitchell, G., Thompson, A.G. and Stieler, G., 2013. Comparison of a basic lung scanning protocol against formally reported chest x‐ray in the diagnosis of pulmonary oedema. Australasian journal of ultrasound in medicine, 16(4), pp.183-189.

Baker, K., Mitchell, G., Thompson, A.G. and Stieler, G., 2013. Diagnostic accuracy of basic lung ultrasound in breathless patients over 60 years of age; stressing the protocol. Australasian journal of ultrasound in medicine, 16(4), pp.176-182.

Baker K. 2013. ‘Limited lung ultrasound protocol in elderly patients with breathlessness; agreement between bedside interpretation and stored images, as acquired by experienced and inexperienced sonologists.’ West Moreton Hospital and Health Service Research Day.

Book Chapter:

Chapter on Lung Ultrasound "A Handbook for Ultrasound in Emergency Medicine" ( Co-author, Dr Katherine Isoardi) published by GE Healthcare.

Conference Presentations:

-ACEM Autumn symposium May 2015
-ASUM ASM 2013
-Ipswich Hospital Research Day September 2014


SHARE

Amount Awarded
$46,000.00


Program


Grant Scheme


Status
Complete


Principal Investigator:
Dr Kylie Baker


Co Investigators:
Prof Geoffrey Mitchell
Dr Gillian Thomas
Dr Geoffrey Stieler


Institution



CONTACT US +61 7 3720 5700 info@emfoundation.org.au Suite 1B, Terraces, 19 Lang Parade, Milton Qld 4064