Using diaphragmatic ultrasound to diagnose acute respiratory distress in emergency patients

Evaluation of the Relevance of Diaphragmatic Stroke Ultrasound for the Etiological Diagnosis of Acute Respiratory Distress in an Emergency Department: a Prospective Multicenter Study.

Not applicable Interventional University Hospital, Montpellier · NCT06650137

This study is testing if using diaphragmatic ultrasound can help doctors quickly diagnose pneumonia and other breathing problems in emergency patients who are having trouble breathing.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment100 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity Hospital, Montpellier Academic / other
Locations2 sites (Nîmes, Gard and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06650137 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This interventional multicenter diagnostic study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of diaphragmatic ultrasound as a diagnostic tool for patients experiencing acute respiratory distress in emergency departments. The primary focus is on measuring the Sum of Plateau Times (SPT) to diagnose pneumonia during acute respiratory distress. Secondary objectives include assessing other ultrasound parameters and their relevance in diagnosing conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema. Eligible patients will undergo a diaphragmatic ultrasound performed by trained physicians, followed by the collection of clinical and biological data from medical records.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adults aged 18 and older who are experiencing acute respiratory distress with specific clinical signs and symptoms.

Not a fit: Patients who are unable to provide consent or are under legal protection will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to faster and more accurate diagnoses of pneumonia and other respiratory conditions in emergency settings.

How similar studies have performed: While diaphragmatic ultrasound has not been extensively studied in emergency settings, similar ultrasound techniques have shown promise in diagnosing respiratory conditions.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients 18 years of age or older;
* Patient with ARD defined by respiratory rate (RR) strictly superior to 25 and/or signs of struggle which are: thoraco-abdominal rocking, active abdominal breathing, recruitment of extra-diaphragmatic respiratory muscles AND
* peripheral saturation (SpO2) strictly inferior to 90% and/or hypercapnic acidosis (pH strictly inferior to 7.35 and pCO2 strictly superior to 45mmHg) on arterial blood gases;
* Spontaneous ventilation.
* Patients presenting a clinical severity score of Grade 1 with signs of struggle, as well as those with Grade 2 and Grade 3. A clinical severity score will be used as follows: Grade 1: Minimal polypnoea with respiratory rate (RR) between 20 and 25 ; Grade 2: Moderate polypnoea with respiratory rate (RR) between 25 and 35; Grade 3: Major polypnoea with respiratory rate (RR) between 35 to 50.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Adult protected by law (guardianship, curatorship, legal protection)
* Refusal of consent after information
* Patient on non-invasive ventilation ;
* Patient on mechanical ventilation;
* Respiratory rate superior to 50/min
* Patient currently being treated for infectious pneumopathy with antibiotics;
* Pregnant or breast-feeding women;
* Patients with any known history of diaphragmatic pathologies.
* Illiterate or unable to understand the purpose and methodology of the study.
* Patient not affiliated to a social security scheme or not benefiting from such a scheme.
* Person deprived of liberty (by judicial or administrative decision, or forced hospitalization)
* Person participating in another study with an exclusion period still in progress,

Where this trial is running

Nîmes, Gard and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions PneumoniaDiaphragmMovementDiaphragmatic UltrasoundEmergency Medical ServicesAcute Respiratory Distress SyndromeDiaphragmatic ultrasound,ultrasonography
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.