Assessment of Residual Congestion in Acute Decompensated Heart Failure

DESIGN: A prospective, multicenter, observational cohort study including 580 patients admitted for acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). Ultrasound assessment of congestion (VExUS and LUS) will be performed serially during admission: within 48 hours of admission, at the time diuretic therapy is switched from intravenous to oral, and on the day of discharge. The discharge assessment will serve as the primary predictor. Treating physicians will be blinded to all ultrasound findings. Patients will be followed for 90 days by telephone follow-up and chart review for the primary endpoint, with extended chart review at one year for selected secondary endpoints. AIMS: To determine whether combined ultrasound assessment of venous (VExUS) and pulmonary congestion (LUS) at discharge predicts heart failure readmission and all-cause mortality in patients hospitalized with ADHF. HYPOTHESIS: Abnormal VExUS and/or LUS findings at discharge are associated with a higher risk of heart failure readmission and all-cause mortality after 90 days.