Using lung (pleuropulmonary) ultrasound to help diagnose sudden severe breathlessness
Evaluation of the Impact of Pleuropulmonary Ultrasound Performed by the Emergency Physician on the Diagnosis of Dyspnea in the Prehospital Setting
University Hospital, Toulouse · NCT07104578
This study tests whether performing pleuropulmonary (lung) ultrasound during prehospital emergency care helps clinicians identify the cause of severe dyspnea in adults.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University Hospital, Toulouse (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (Toulouse) |
| Trial ID | NCT07104578 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is an observational study of adult patients treated by prehospital emergency medical teams for severe dyspnea in Toulouse. Trained emergency clinicians will perform pleuropulmonary ultrasound during prehospital care and clinicians' diagnostic impressions and management decisions will be recorded. Eligible patients meet objective severity criteria (SpO2 < 90% in room air or need for oxygen to maintain SpO2 ≥ 90%, and respiratory rate > 25/min); patients who refuse or need immediate intubation are excluded. The study will compare diagnostic information gathered with ultrasound to usual prehospital assessment to characterize its impact on diagnosis and initial treatment.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults encountered by prehospital emergency medical teams for severe dyspnea who meet the study's oxygenation and respiratory rate criteria are the intended participants.
Not a fit: Patients who require immediate intubation, those who refuse participation, or people with mild or non-acute breathlessness are unlikely to benefit from this intervention in the prehospital setting.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, adding pleuropulmonary ultrasound in the field could speed up correct diagnosis and guide more appropriate early treatments for people with severe dyspnea.
How similar studies have performed: Emergency department research has shown lung ultrasound can accurately identify causes of acute dyspnea (for example pulmonary edema, pneumothorax, pleural effusion), and early prehospital studies are promising but less extensive.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adult patient * Treated by a prehospital emergency medical service * For dyspnea with signs of severity, the following are the following: * SpO2 \< 90% in AA or O2 required to maintain SpO2 ≥ 90% and * RR \> 25 cycles/min Exclusion Criteria: * Opposition to inclusion * Need for immediate intubation.
Where this trial is running
Toulouse
- Pôle Médecine d'Urgence Hôpital Purpan Pavillon Louis Lareng Place Docteur Baylac — Toulouse, France (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Pauline Marchetto, PhD — University Hospital, Toulouse
- Study coordinator: Pauline Marchetto, PHD
- Email: marchetto.p@chu-toulouse.fr
- Phone: 0561772579
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.
Conditions: Dyspnea, dyspnea, pleuropulmonary ultrasound, diagnostic