Prognostic Significance of LUS B-score (Pulmonary Congestion) and NT-proBNP in Acute Decompensated Heart Failure, 30- and 90-day postdischarge

Pulmonary congestion (PC) is the most important cause of hospitalizations in patients with heart failure (HF) and is therefore a primary goal of therapy. However, clinical examination of pulmonary congestion is often limited by the low sensitivity and specificity of physical examination. Identifying patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) at high risk for readmission or death after hospital discharge will enable the optimization of treatment and management. The objective of this study was to develop an approach for stratifying the risk for 90-day HF-related readmission or death. Methods: We analysed the data of 42 patients with ADHF, admitted to the Internal Medicine department of San Matteo Hospital. We also chose a cut-off score for both B-score and NT-proBNP, to predict the risk of 90-day readmission or death, by using an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Results: Data from 42 patients aged > 62 years were analysed. Among them, 13 (31%) had 90-day readmission or death events. Conclusions: The group stratification for the prediction of the risk of 90-day readmission or death after hospital discharge was developed using 2 predictors (B-score and NT-proBNP). It can be used to guide appropriate interventions or care strategies for patients with ADHF.