POCUS-Guided Diuresis for Decompensated Heart Failure

Overview

Heart failure occurs when the heart cannot pump blood effectively, leading to fluid buildup in the body. This can cause problems such as difficulty breathing, swelling, and extreme tiredness. In severe cases, these symptoms worsen to the point where hospitalization is required. Unfortunately, many patients with severe heart failure are readmitted to the hospital within 30 days after discharge, which is both physically and emotionally challenging for patients and places a significant financial burden on individuals and the healthcare system. Although symptoms such as difficulty breathing and swelling may improve during the hospital stay, some patients are discharged with excess fluid remaining in their bodies. This retained fluid often causes symptoms to worsen, leading to subsequent hospital readmissions. Inadequate management of fluid levels can also harm the kidneys, further complicating the patient's condition. This study aims to improve care for heart failure patients by utilizing a simple, non-invasive tool to assess fluid levels more accurately at the bedside. The tool measures the size of a large blood vessel in the neck, providing key information about the pressure inside the heart. This information enables clinicians to determine the appropriate amount of medication needed to remove just the right amount of fluid. Properly managing fluid levels can help prevent kidney damage and improve overall patient outcomes. The primary goal of this study is to evaluate whether this tool can reduce the number of patients readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of discharge. A secondary goal is to determine whether the tool can help protect kidney function by allowing for better fluid management. If successful, this approach has the potential to help heart failure patients stay healthier, reduce hospital visits, and lower healthcare costs.

Heart failure is a major cause of hospitalization in the United States, affecting over 5 million adults, with 30-day readmission rates as high as 22%. Hospitalizations account for the majority of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF)-related healthcare costs, and institutions that care for lower-income populations face added pressure under value-based payment models such as the Hospital Readmission Reduction Program (HRRP). ADHF is characterized by elevated cardiac filling pressures and systemic congestion. Traditional clinical assessments, such as physical examination, chest radiography, and jugular venous pressure (JVP) evaluation, are often limited by low accuracy and high interobserver variability. Residual congestion at discharge is a key predictor of readmission and contributes to complications like acute kidney injury (AKI), which can occur in up to 20% of ADHF hospitalizations and is associated with increased mortality, longer length of stay, and higher healthcare costs (up to $80,400 per patient). Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has emerged as a valuable bedside tool for non-invasive, real-time volume assessment. This study focuses on a novel application of POCUS that uses the right internal jugular vein (RIJV) to estimate right atrial pressure (RAP). By measuring the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the RIJV during rest and the Valsalva maneuver, the Distensibility Index (DI) can be calculated. A DI ≥66% is associated with low RAP (≤12 mmHg), while lower values indicate persistent venous congestion. Previous studies support the utility of this method. In a right heart catheterization cohort (n=67), DI predicted elevated RAP with 87% positive predictive value. In a prospective observational cohort (n=274), a DI ≥66% at discharge was associated with a 91.1% negative predictive value for avoiding early readmission. Patients with elevated RAP at discharge were 3.5 times more likely to be readmitted within 30 days. This study introduces POCUS-guided diuretic management in hospitalized ADHF patients. The ultrasound-derived DI will be used to inform decisions regarding diuretic therapy and discharge readiness. All ultrasound operators will receive standardized training to ensure reproducibility of measurements. Clinician adherence to POCUS-guided recommendations will be monitored, and structured feedback will be obtained to assess usability. By enhancing volume status assessment, this approach aims to improve decongestion strategies, reduce 30-day readmissions, and prevent kidney injury. If successful, this method could be integrated into routine clinical workflows, especially in settings where advanced imaging resources are limited. The study may inform future clinical guidelines and support more individualized, equitable care for patients with heart failure.