Using ultrasound to diagnose acute dyspnea in emergency departments
Official title: Evaluation of the Feasibility and Accuracy of an Ultrasound Algorithm for Acute Dyspnea Diagnosis in the Emergency Department
Run by Central Hospital, Nancy, France · NCT03691857 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new ultrasound tool to see if it can help doctors in emergency rooms better diagnose the causes of sudden breathing problems like heart failure, pneumonia, and lung disease.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 50 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 225 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Central Hospital, Nancy, France Academic / other |
| Locations | 7 sites (Châlons-en-Champagne and 6 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | December 14, 2020 |
| Main results expected | March 14, 2025 |
| Study ends | April 14, 2025 |
| Registry record updated | January 16, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT03691857 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates for this study are men and women aged 50 and older experiencing non-traumatic acute dyspnea in the emergency department.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients in cardiac arrest, persistent shock, or with severe cognitive impairment will not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This study evaluates a new ultrasound algorithm designed to improve the diagnosis of acute dyspnea in emergency departments. It focuses on three main causes of dyspnea: heart failure, pneumonia, and exacerbation of obstructive pulmonary disease. The algorithm's accuracy will be assessed by comparing ultrasound results with traditional diagnostic methods, and the feasibility of its implementation in emergency settings will also be evaluated. The study involves a multicenter approach, with ultrasound exams being conducted by trained physicians and analyzed by a centralized core laboratory.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to faster and more accurate diagnoses of acute dyspnea, potentially reducing mortality rates associated with this condition.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of ultrasound in emergency settings is gaining traction, this specific algorithm for acute dyspnea diagnosis is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Men and women ≥ 50 years old * Patients with non-traumatic acute dyspnea managed in the emergency department * Patients affiliated with a social security system Exclusion Criteria: * Patients in cardiac arrest * Patients in persistent shock * Patients with impaired consciousness (Glasgow Score\<9) * Patients with a history of thoracic surgery or pulmonary fibrosis * Dementia * Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome with ST elevation * Known current pregnancy * Patients under guardianship, trusteeship or legal protection
Where it's running
-
CH de Chalons en Champagne
Châlons-en-Champagne, France Recruiting -
Hôpital Simone Veil
Eaubonne, France Recruiting -
CHRU Nancy
Nancy, France Recruiting -
AP-HP - Hôpital Cochin
Paris, France Recruiting -
AP-HP - Hôpital Lariboisière
Paris, France Recruiting -
CHRU de Strasbourg, Hôpital de Hautepierre
Strasbourg, France Recruiting
Show 1 more location
-
CH de Sarreguemines
Sarreguemines, France Withdrawn
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Tahar CHOUIHED, MD — Central Hospital, CHRU de Nancy, France
- Study coordinator: Tahar CHOUIHED, MD
- Email: t.chouihed@chru-nancy.fr
- Phone: (0)3 83 85 14 96
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Pulmonary and cardiovascular rehabilitation program for chronic respiratory and heart conditions
This study tests a rehabilitation program that combines exercise for people with chronic lung and heart conditions to see if it helps them feel better and improve their daily activities.
-
Assessing diaphragm function in patients with respiratory diseases
This study is testing how well the diaphragm works in people with respiratory diseases to see if it affects their breathing difficulties and overall health.
-
Wintergreen oil inhalation for shortness of breath in pneumonia patients
Hospitals will test whether inhaling wintergreen essential oil helps relieve dyspnea in adults with pneumonia.
-
Difference in finger, earlobe, and forehead oxygen levels to predict outcomes in dyspnea
In adults with breathing trouble, this study tests whether differences in SpO2 readings from different body sites can predict who might have worse outcomes.
-
See if video telemedicine with a caller’s mobile camera improves care for adults with acute dyspnea
This study tests whether adding video calls from a caller’s mobile phone to the emergency dispatch process helps improve care for adults with acute shortness of breath.
-
CardioStory device in helping tell heart failure from other causes in people with shortness of breath
This study tests whether the CardioStory noninvasive device can help emergency department clinicians distinguish heart failure from other causes of dyspnea in adults.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.