Assessment of venous congestion with venous excess ultrasound score in the prognosis of acute heart failure in the emergency department: a prospective study

Abstract

Aims In acute decompensated heart failure (HF), systemic venous congestion contributes to patients’ symptoms and hospital admissions. The purpose of our study is to determine if venous congestion, examined using the Venous Excess Ultrasound (VExUS) score, predicts heart failure-related hospitalisation and mortality in patients admitted to the Emergency Department (ED) with acute decompensated heart failure. Methods 50 patients admitted for acute HF in ED underwent ultrasound assessment according to the VExUS score within the first 24 hours and 72 hours. All patients were followed-up with a telephone call at 30 and 60 days after the hospital discharge. Results On admission, 56% had a VEXUS score 3. After 72 hours, 32% had no more signs of congestion at the Doppler VEXUS examination (VCI < 2 cm, VEXUS score 0), a similar percentage still exhibited a VEXUS score 3 despite therapy. 80% of patients were hospitalised after the admission to the ED, whilst six (15%) died in-hospital, all exhibited a first assessment VExUS 3 score. No patient with a VExUS score below 3 died during the study. During short-term follow-up, 18 patients were re-admitted to ED for acute decompensated HF. 94% of the re-admitted patients had a VExUS score 3 at the Doppler assessment at the first ED admission. Conclusions Severe venous congestion, defined as a VExUS score of 3 at the initial assessment of patients with acute decompensated HF predicts in-patient mortality, HF-related death, and early readmission.