Background: Fluid overload leading to pulmonary congestion is an important issue in patients undergoing hemodialysis. This study aimed to determine if a simplified method of extravascular lung water assessment using ultrasound provided clinically relevant information.
Methods: This prospective study recruited 47 patients from a single hemodialysis center. Pulmonary ultrasound was performed before and after 2 hemodialysis sessions in 28 regions on the thorax. The B-line score was defined as the percentage regions where B-lines were present.
Results: When B-lines were detected before hemodialysis, a significant relationship was found between fluid removal and the change in B-line score. Patients with a B-line score of ≥21.4% (4th quartile) after the second hemodialysis session were more likely to be hospitalized for pulmonary edema or acute coronary syndrome.
Conclusions: A simplified pulmonary assessment using ultrasound provides relevant information about pulmonary congestion in hemodialysis patients and identifies patients at risk of hospitalization for heart-related problems.
Keywords: B-line artifact; End-stage renal disease; Fluid balance management; Fluid overload; Hemodialysis; Point-of-care ultrasound; Pulmonary edema; Pulmonary ultrasound.
© 2017 S. Karger AG, Basel.