Use of Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) to Reduce Hospital Length of Stay in Patients With Heart Failure ( POCUSHF )

Launched by FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY · May 1, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial, called POCUSHF, is investigating whether using a special type of ultrasound at the bedside can help hospitalized patients with heart failure recover faster. Heart failure can cause a buildup of fluid in the body, making patients feel very unwell. In this study, patients will be divided into two groups: one will receive care guided by ultrasound, while the other will receive standard care without ultrasound. The researchers want to see if the group that gets ultrasound guidance spends less time in the hospital and has better care overall.

To participate in this trial, you need to be at least 18 years old and currently hospitalized with worsening heart failure symptoms. You should also have signs of fluid overload, which can be checked through simple tests. Unfortunately, if you are under 18, pregnant, or have a serious illness that affects your health, you won't be eligible for this study. If you join, you can expect to receive either ultrasound-guided assessments or standard evaluations from doctors to help manage your heart condition. This study is not yet recruiting participants, but it aims to improve how heart failure is treated in hospitals.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Adults aged 18 years and older.
• • Hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of decompensated heart failure (left, right, or biventricular).
• • Evidence of volume overload or congestion based on Framingham criteria, clinical examination, elevated proBNP (\>1000 pg/mL), or chest X-ray showing pulmonary edema.
• • Ability to undergo bedside ultrasound evaluation (POCUS) as clinically feasible.
• • Able to provide informed consent.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Age under 18 years.
• • Pregnant or breastfeeding women.
• • Terminal illness with life expectancy \< 30 days.
• • Inability to obtain ultrasound images due to body habitus or other technical reasons.
• • Enrollment in another interventional clinical trial that could interfere with the outcomes of this study.