Point-of-care ultrasound to help diagnose sudden shortness of breath
Added Diagnostic Value of Point of Care Ultrasound in Acute Dyspnea: a Prospective Observational Study
This will test whether quick bedside ultrasound used by emergency doctors helps identify the cause of sudden shortness of breath in adults with low oxygen or fast breathing.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 160 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Region Skane Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Helsingborg, Skåne County and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT05782478 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Dyspnea is a common and time-sensitive problem in the Emergency Department that can have many causes. In this prospective observational study, emergency medicine specialists and residents at two Swedish EDs will receive brief training and certification in a structured dyspnea POCUS protocol. Trained clinicians will perform focused lung (8 or 14 zones), cardiac (subcostal, parasternal, apical four-chamber) and inferior vena cava scans, and diagnostic accuracy will be compared before and after POCUS use. The study enrolls adults triaged as highest or second-highest priority who meet prespecified oxygenation or respiratory rate criteria at the Lund and Helsingborg sites.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adult ED patients triaged at the highest or second-highest priority who present with shortness of breath, oxygen saturation <90% on room air, or respiratory rate >25/min with oxygen saturation <95% on room air.
Not a fit: Patients who require immediate life-saving interventions that would be delayed by study procedures or patients discharged from the ED without admission are unlikely to benefit from the intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to faster and more accurate ED diagnoses so patients get the right treatment sooner.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown strong diagnostic performance of POCUS for conditions like heart failure and pneumonia, but most were performed by highly experienced ultrasound operators rather than a broad mix of ED physicians.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Adult patients presenting to the Emergency Department within the highest or second highest triage category and any of the following * Presenting with shortness of breath * Oxygen saturation less than 90 % on room air * Respiratory rate more than 25 breaths per minute and oxygen saturation less than 95 % on room air Exclusion Criteria: * Inclusion in the study will delay urgent interventions * Patient is discharge from the Emergency Department (without hospital admission)
Where this trial is running
Helsingborg, Skåne County and 1 other locations
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Helsingborg Hospital — Helsingborg, Skåne County, Sweden (Recruiting)
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Skåne University Hospital — Lund, Skåne County, Sweden (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Jakob Lundager Forberg, PhD,MD — Region Skåne Sweden
- Study coordinator: Jakob Lundager Forberg, PhD,MD
- Email: jakob.lundager-forberg@skane.se
- Phone: 0046424061000
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.