Ultrasound Assessment for Heart Failure

Overseen By Michael Ulrich, MD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Riverside University Health System Medical Center

Must be taking: Diuretics

Disqualifiers: ICU admission, Positive pressure ventilation, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 1 week

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests whether daily ultrasound exams (referred to as Daily POCUS Exam) can improve health outcomes for hospitalized patients with worsening heart failure. The main goal is to determine if these exams reduce the risk of kidney problems during their stay. One group will receive typical care, while another group will undergo daily ultrasound checks of their chest and heart-related areas. This trial suits individuals admitted to the hospital with severe heart failure, expected to stay for at least two days, and receiving diuretic treatment (medications that help the body eliminate excess fluid). As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could enhance patient care.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It is best to discuss this with the study team or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that daily POCUS exams are safe for patients with acute decompensated heart failure?

Research has shown that point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is safe for use in medical settings. Studies indicate that POCUS helps doctors diagnose conditions more quickly and reduces the need for other tests involving radiation, making it a safer choice for patients compared to other imaging methods.

POCUS enhances patient safety by providing doctors with fast and accurate information. It uses a small, portable device that experts can easily operate. Unlike other imaging technologies, POCUS does not expose patients to radiation, which can be harmful over time.

Overall, POCUS is well-tolerated and enhances patient care by enabling doctors to identify and treat medical issues more quickly. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about using daily POCUS exams in heart failure management because this technique offers a non-invasive and immediate way to monitor extravascular lung water and measure the inferior vena cava (IVC). Unlike the standard approach, which often relies on periodic check-ins and more invasive procedures, daily POCUS can provide real-time data to help adjust treatment plans more effectively. This method could potentially lead to better outcomes by enabling quicker responses to changes in a patient’s condition.

What evidence suggests that daily POCUS exams are effective for acute decompensated heart failure?

Research has shown that point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) can help manage health conditions by quickly providing important information. In this trial, some participants will receive daily assessments using POCUS. Studies indicate that this improves doctors' ability to identify critical issues like fluid in the lungs, which is crucial for heart failure patients. It also boosts doctors' confidence and skills in using ultrasound, making them more likely to use it effectively. By offering real-time images, POCUS helps doctors make better treatment decisions immediately. This tool could improve care in heart failure patients by detecting problems early and guiding treatment. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

Inclusion Criteria

Age >18 admitted for acute decompensated heart failure exacerbation as primary admission diagnosis from Emergency department to General Medicine ward that are administered diuretic therapy expected to be admitted for two days or more.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 week

Treatment

Participants receive daily POCUS/FCU exams and IV diuretics for acute decompensated heart failure management

1 week

Daily visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Daily POCUS Exam

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Daily POCUS Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Patients are assessed by facility experts with daily chest ultrasound and findings of interstitial syndrome and IVC measurement are reported to primary care providers.

Group II: Usual care Active Control 1 Intervention

Patients are assessed daily by primary care providers per usual care.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Riverside University Health System Medical Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

10

Recruited

19,300+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10881927/

Evaluation of point-of-care ultrasound training among ... Our results demonstrated that the brief POCUS course was effective in improving POCUS skills, knowledge and confidence amongst in-practice ...

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S095362052500233X

Point of care ultrasound: focus on evidence for a critical ... For abdominal pain, it is particularly useful in detecting biliary tract diseases, ascites, acute appendicitis, and abdominal aortic aneurysm.

3. bmcnurs.biomedcentral.com bmcnurs.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12912-023-01183-2

Effectiveness of point of care ultrasound (POCUS) simulation ... Image interpretation skill, image acquisition skill, and confidence improved significantly and were maintained even after 4 months of the course ...

4. istanbulmedicaljournal.org istanbulmedicaljournal.org/articles/effect-of-basic-point-of-care-ultrasound-course-on-physicians-use-in-clinical-practice-a-survey-study/imj.galenos.2025.17702

Effect of Basic Point-of-Care Ultrasound Course on ... This study demonstrates that even a short, structured POCUS course can lead to a marked increase in physicians' self-reported use of ultrasound ...

5. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38383673/

Evaluation of point-of-care ultrasound training among ... Results: Our results demonstrated that the brief POCUS course was effective in improving POCUS skills, knowledge and confidence amongst in- ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7673874/

Point-of-care Ultrasound in Morbidity and Mortality Cases in ... POCUS was felt to have greatest potential in identifying missed diagnoses (92%, 23/25), and decreasing the time to diagnosis (92%, 23/25).

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9508689/

The Benefits and Barriers of Using Point-of-Care Ultrasound in ... POCUS is much safer providing a reduction of ionizing radiation risks in addition to enhanced cost-effectiveness, and prompt diagnosis for ...

8. apsf.org apsf.org/article/portable-point-of-care-ultrasound-ppocus-an-emerging-technology-for-improving-patient-safety/

Portable Point of Care Ultrasound (PPOCUS) PPOCUS which involves the use of handheld, portable, affordable, easy-to-use ultrasound devices to perform point of care ultrasound (POCUS) is an emerging ...

9. academic.oup.com academic.oup.com/cid/advance-article/doi/10.1093/cid/ciaf348/8180593

Practical Application of Point-of-Care Ultrasound for the ... POCUS evaluation can detect other pneumonia complications, such as formation of abscesses, as in Case 2, Video 4. A systematic review examining ...

10. psnet.ahrq.gov psnet.ahrq.gov/perspective/safety-considerations-building-point-care-ultrasound-program

Safety Considerations in Building a Point-of-Care ... (4) Used properly, POCUS has vast potential to improve patient safety through efficient and accurate diagnosis and procedural guidance.