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Functional testing with stress echocardiography is based on the detection of regional wall motion abnormality with two-dimensional echocardiography and is embedded in clinical guidelines. Yet, it under-uses the unique versatility of the technique, ideally suited to describe the different functional abnormalities underlying the same wall motion response during stress. Five parameters converge conceptually and methodologically in the state-of-the-art ABCDE protocol, assessing multiple vulnerabilities of the ischemic patient. The five steps of the ABCDE protocol are (1) step A: regional wall motion; (2) step B: B-lines by lung ultrasound assessing extravascular lung water; (3) step C: left ventricular contractile reserve by volumetric two-dimensional echocardiography; (4) step D: coronary flow velocity reserve in mid-distal left anterior descending coronary with pulsed-wave Doppler; and (5) step E: assessment of heart rate reserve with a one-lead electrocardiogram. ABCDE stress echo offers insight into five functional reserves: epicardial flow (A); diastolic (B), contractile (C), coronary microcirculatory (D), and chronotropic reserve (E). The new format is more comprehensive and allows better functional characterization, risk stratification, and personalized tailoring of therapy. ABCDE protocol is an ‘ecumenic’ and ‘omnivorous’ functional test, suitable for all stresses and all patients also beyond coronary artery disease. It fits the need for sustainability of the current era in healthcare, since it requires universally available technology, and is low-cost, radiation-free, and nearly carbon-neutral.

Lung ultrasound (LUS) is a promising bedside modality for the estimation of extravascular lung water index (EVLWI), but has not been validated against objective measures in children. This study aimed to investigate the correlation of LUS B-line scoring with EVLWI, thresholds indicating elevated EVLWI, and its outcome following pediatric cardiac surgery.Prospective observational study.Cardiothoracic surgical intensive care unit in a tertiary care teaching hospital.Children younger than 12 years undergoing elective complete surgical correction of cyanotic or acyanotic congenital heart disease (Aristotle score ≤9), excluding neonates, those weighing3.5 kg, and those with thoracic deformities, pulmonary pathology, and hemodynamic instability.Extravascular lung water index measurement by transpulmonary thermodilution, along with concurrent LUS B-line and Chest-X ray (CXR) scoring.LUS B-line score had a moderate correlation with EVLWI (Pearson's correlation coefficient 0.57; 95% CI 0.44-0.69). LUS B-line scores showed acceptable discrimination only for higher thresholds of EVLWI (sensitivity 82% and 79%, respectively, for EVLWI20 mL/kg v sensitivity and specificity 57% and 80% for EVLWI10 mL/kg). Age, body surface area, vasoactive-inotropic score (VIS), chest X-ray score, and EVLWI but not LUS B-line score were significant predictors for duration of mechanical ventilation in this cohort.LUS B-line scoring has limited utility in semiquantitative estimation of EVLWI at lower thresholds of EVLWI in pediatric cardiac surgical patients. It may have better discrimination and acceptable sensitivity and specificity at higher thresholds of EVLWI. Contrasting with multiple reports of clinical utility, these results call for wider evaluation of LUS and its clinical modifiers like age, pathology, and pretest probability in estimation of EVLWI.

To assess whether a simplified cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)–derived lung water density (LWD) quantification predicted major events in Heart Failure (HF). Single-centre retrospective study of consecutive HF patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) p = 0.017) and had higher NT-proBNP levels [1973 (IQR: 809–3766) vs. 802 (IQR: 355–2157 pg/mL); p p = 0.005), LVEF (HR per 1%: 0.97; 95%-CI: 0.94–0.99; p = 0.031), serum creatinine (HR per 1 mg/dL: 2.51; 95%-CI: 1.36–4.61; p = 0.003) and LWD (HR per 1%: 1.07; 95%-CI: 1.02–1.12; p = 0.007) were independent predictors of the primary endpoint. These findings were mainly driven by an association between LWD and HF hospitalization (p = 0.026). A CMR-derived LWD quantification was independently associated with an increased HF hospitalization risk in HF patients with LVEF

In the new century, our diagnostic armamentarium has been significantly reinforced by the 'three-dimensional' volumetric haemodynamic monitoring currently available at the bedside in many perioperative and intensive care settings. The volumetric approach has improved our insight into the haemodynamic scenarios of many critical illnesses and surgical interventions, including sepsis, circulatory shock, acute respiratory distress syndrome as well as cardiothoracic and transplantation surgery. However, the influence of volumetric haemodynamic monitoring on clinical outcome is still a subject for debates. This review presents physiological background, technical details, aspects of bedside use, limitations and further perspectives of the volumetric approach to the cardiopulmonary monitoring.

Extravascular lung water (EVLW) is a basic symptom of congestive heart failure and other conditions. Computed tomography (CT) is standard to assess EVLW, but it requires ionizing radiation and radiology facilities. Lung ultrasound reverberation artifacts called B-lines have been used to assess EVLW. However, B-line artifact analysis relies on visual interpretation and subjects to inter-observer variability. We developed lung ultrasound surface wave elastography (LUSWE) to measure lung surface wave speed. This research aims to develop LUSWE to measure the change of lung surface wave speed due to lung water in an ex vivo swine lung model. The surface wave speeds of a fresh ex vivo swine lung were measured at four frequencies of 100 Hz, 200 Hz, 300 Hz, and 400 Hz. An amount of water was then filled into the lung through its trachea. Ultrasound imaging was used to guide the water filling until significant changes were visible on the imaging. The lung surface wave speeds were measured. An additional 120 ml of water was then filled into the lung. The lung surface wave speeds were then measured again. The results demonstrated that the lung surface wave speed decreased with respect to water content.

Purpose An efficient Yarnball ultrashort-TE k-space trajectory, in combination with an optimized pulse sequence design and automated image-processing approach, is proposed for fast and quantitative imaging of water density in the lung parenchyma. Methods Three-dimensional Yarnball k-space trajectories (TE = 0.07 ms) were designed at 3 T for breath-hold and free-breathing navigator acquisitions targeting the lung parenchyma (full torso spatial coverage) with minimal T1 and T 2 ∗ weighting. A composite of all solid tissues surrounding the lungs (muscle, liver, heart, blood pool) was used for user-independent lung water density signal referencing and B1 -inhomogeneity correction needed for the calculation of relative lung water density images. Sponge phantom experiments were used to validate absolute water density quantification, and relative lung water density was evaluated in 10 healthy volunteers. Results Phantom experiments showed excellent agreement between sponge wet weight and imaging-derived water density. Breath-hold (13 seconds) and free-breathing (~2 minutes) Yarnball acquisitions in volunteers (2.5-mm isotropic resolution) had negligible artifacts and good lung parenchyma SNR (>10). Whole-lung average relative lung water density values with fully automated analysis were 28.2 ± 1.9% and 28.6 ± 1.8% for breath-hold and free-breathing acquisitions, respectively, with good test-retest reproducibility (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.86 and 0.95, respectively). Conclusions Quantitative lung water density imaging with an optimized Yarnball k-space acquisition approach is possible in a breath-hold or short free-breathing study with automated signal referencing and segmentation.

Background Lung ultrasound (US) reliably estimates lung water and it is increasingly applied in clinical practice in dialysis patients. A semi-quantitative US score summing up the US-B lines (an equivalent of B lines in the standard chest X-ray) at 28 sites in the intercostal spaces (Jambrik et al. Usefulness of ultrasound lung comets as a non-radiologic sign of extravascular lung water. Am J Cardiol 2004; 93: 1265–1270) is the most used score. Methods We compared the prognostic performance for death, and cardiovascular (CV) events of the 28-sites US score with a score restricted to eight sites in a cohort of 303 haemodialysis (HD) patients. Results The 8- and the 28-sites scores were highly inter-related (Spearman’s ρ = 0.93, P Conclusion The 8-sites score is tightly related to the classical Jambrik 28-sites score and this score holds an almost identical predictive power to the reference score. Even though the 28-sites score can be completed just in ∼3 min, the 8-sites score requires only ∼1.30 min, and it is, therefore, better suited for application in everyday clinical practice in HD units.

Aims Readmission after hospitalization for acute decompensated heart failure (HF) remains a major public health problem. Use of remote dielectric sensing (ReDS) to measure lung water volume allows for an objective assessment of volume status and may guide medical optimization for HF. We hypothesized that the use of ReDS would lower 30 day readmission in patients referred to rapid follow‐up (RFU) clinic after HF discharge. Methods and results We conducted a retrospective analysis of the use of ReDS for patients scheduled for RFU within 10 days post‐discharge for HF at Mount Sinai Hospital between 1 July 2017 and 31 July 2018. Diuretics were adjusted using a pre‐specified algorithm. The association between use of ReDS and 30 day readmission was evaluated. A total of 220 patients were included. Mean age was 62.9 ± 14.7 years, and 36.4% were female. ReDS was performed in 80 (36.4%) and led to medication adjustment in 52 (65%). Use of ReDS was associated with a lower rate of 30 day cardiovascular readmission [2.6% vs. 11.8%, hazard ratio (HR): 0.21; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.05–0.89; P = 0.04] and a trend towards lower all‐cause readmission (6.5% vs. 14.1%, HR: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.16–1.15; P = 0.09) as compared with patients without a ReDS assessment. Conclusions ReDS‐guided HF therapy during RFU after HF hospitalization may be associated with lower risk of 30 day readmission.

Background:B-line assessment with lung ultrasound (LUS) has recently been proposed as a reliable, noninvasive semiquantitative tool for evaluating extravascular lung water (EVLW). Currently, there has been no easy quantitative method to evaluate EVLW by LUS. To establish a simple, accurate and clinically operable method for quantitative assessment of EVLW using LUS. Methods:Forty-five New Zealand rabbits were randomized into 9 groups (n=5). After anesthesia, each group of rabbits was injected with different amounts of warm sterile NS (0 ml/kg, 2 ml/kg, 4 ml/kg, 6 ml/kg, 8 ml/kg, 10 ml/kg, 15 ml/kg, 20 ml/kg, 30 ml/kg) via the endotracheal tube. Each rabbit was examined by LUS before and after NS injection. At the same time, the spontaneous respiratory rate (RR, breaths per minute), heart rate (HR, bpm) and arterial blood gas (ABG) of the rabbits were recorded. Then, both lungs were dissected to obtain the wet and dry weight and conduct a complete histological examination.Results:Injecting NS into the lungs through a tracheal tube can successfully establish a rabbit model with increased EVLW. When theNS injection volume is 2~6 ml/kg, comet-tail artifacts and B-lines are the main patterns found on LUS; as additional NS is injected into the lungs, the rabbits' RR gradually increases, while their HR gradually decreases. Confluent B-lines grow gradually but significantly, reaching a dominant position when the NS injection volume reaches 6~8 ml/kg and predominating almost entirely when the NS injection volume is 8~15 ml/kg; at that time, rabbits' RRs and HRs decrease sharply, and the ABG indicated type I respiratory failure (RF). Compact B-lines occur and predominate almost entirely when the NS injection volume reaches 10 ml/kg and 15~20 ml/kg, respectively. At that time, rabbits begin to enter cardiac and respiratory arrest, and ABG shows type II RF and metabolic acidosis (MA).Conclusion: LUS can estimate EVLW content based on the type of B-line.We can give clinical treatment depending on the type of LUS B-line.

Lung ultrasound could identify increased levels of extra-vascular lung water (EVLW) in severe preeclampsia (PE) also; increased optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) can indirectly reflect intracrania...

Aims Pulmonary congestion is a direct result of either general overhydration or cardiac dysfunction. Lung ultrasonography (LUS) with lung B-lines (LUS comets) can be used to assess extravascular lung water in patients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis (PD). Subendocardial viability ratio (SEVR) is a pulse wave analysis parameter that is a non-invasive measure of coronary perfusion and is related to cardiac work and oxygen consumption. Our aim was to investigate the association between LUS comets and SEVR in PD patients. Materials and methods We performed an observational study in 25 PD patients in a single dialysis center. Extravascular lung water was quantified by the number of LUS comets, using a portable ultrasound (US) device. LUS comets were recorded in each intercostal space and defined as hyperechoic US bundles at a narrow base extending from the transducer to the edge of the screen. The sum of LUS comets yields a score reflecting the extent of water accumulation in the lungs. SEVR was determined non-invasively by radial applanation tonometry. Results Mean age of patients was 54.7 ± 10.7 years, mean PD vintage 27 ± 33 (1 - 167) months, 60% were men. The mean number of LUS comets was 13 ± 19 (0 - 71), and the mean SEVR was 153 ± 40%. We found a statistically significant negative correlation between the number of LUS comets and SEVR (r = -0.467; p = 0.019). Multiple regression analysis with LUS comets as dependent variable, and SEVR and age as independent variables showed a statistically significant relationship between SEVR and the number of LUS comets (β = -0.467, p = 0.021). Conclusion Higher number of LUS comets is associated with lower SEVR in PD patients.

An important feature of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is fluid lost into the interstitium of lung combined with its compromised reabsorption, resulting in the elevation of extravascular lung water (EVLW). Although ARDS is known as an early, common, and life-threatening complication in major burns, the issue of whether or how the EVLW index (EVLWI) correlates with its prognosis has not been identified yet. In this retrospectively study, 121 severely burned adults with ARDS occurred in 2 weeks postburn were analyzed and divided into two groups: survivors (73 patients) and nonsurvivors (48 patients) according to the 28-day outcome after injury. Compared with nonsurvivors, survivors exhibited bigger EVLWI reduction in day 2 after ARDS onset (ΔEVLWI2), with no differences in ARDS timing and other EVLWI variables. ΔEVLWI2, rather than EVLWI on 2 days after ARDS onset, was identified as an independent prognostic factor even after adjusting other significant factors by Cox proportional hazard analysis. ROC curve analysis showed that ΔEVLWI2 [AUC = 0.723, 95% CI = (0.631–0.816), P < .001] was a relative predictor for survival on 28-day postburn, with a threshold of 1.9 ml/kg (63.0% sensitivity, 77.1% specificity). Kaplan–Meier survival curve analysis confirmed a significantly higher survival rate on 28-day postburn in patients with ΔEVLWI2 > 1.9 ml/kg (log-rank test: χ 2 =14.780, P < .001). Taken together, our study demonstrated that ΔEVLWI2 is an independent prognostic factor for early ARDS in severe burns. ΔEVLWI2 higher than 1.9 ml/kg might predict a higher survival rate in those patients.

The water contents of individual organs are maintained in a narrow range, but altered in morbidity owing to a disturbance of water equilibrium. The present study investigated the tissue water contents of major organs with regard to the cause of death in serial autopsy cases within 3 days postmortem (n = 329; 223 males, 106 females; age range, 1-100 years). Individual tissue water contents differed markedly across organs, but no significant postmortem or survival-period dependence, gender-related difference, or age dependence was observed. However, the lung water contents were higher in drowning cases, especially in saltwater cases (p 0.05), and in strangulation among the acute mechanical asphyxiation cases. The brain water contents were higher in hypothermia cases (cold exposure) and tended to be higher in hyperthermia cases (heatstroke). The kidney water contents were higher in drowning and acute cardiac cases than in fatal intoxication and fire fatality cases, but tended to be higher in fresh- and bathwater drowning cases than in saltwater cases (p 0.05). The spleen water contents were higher in bathwater drowning than in saltwater and freshwater cases, but did not differ among other the causes of death. These findings suggest that the postmortem tissue water content of individual organs, especially the lungs and/or kidney, depends on the cause of death and particularly contributes to differentiation between saltwater and freshwater drowning, respectively. This work therefore provides insight into the investigation of varied tissue water imbalances during the death process. In conclusion, we recommend the measurement of tissue water content because it is easy to perform and appears to be useful for evaluating the pathophysiology of systemic circulatory failure.

Purpose of review Transpulmonary thermodilution (TPTD) devices invasively measure not only cardiac output but also several other haemodynamic variables estimating cardiac preload, cardiac preload, systolic function, the lung oedema and systolic function, the lung oedema and the pulmonary permeability. In light of the recent literature, we describe how different indices are measured, emphasize their clinical interest and list potential limits and side-effects of the technique. Recent findings Estimation of cardiac output measurement with TPTD is now well established, at least when compared with the pulmonary artery catheter. The advantage of calibrating the pulse contour analysis, as it is allowed by TPTD indices, is clearly established over uncalibrated devices. The greatest advantage of TPTD is to measure extravascular lung water and pulmonary permeability, which may be useful to diagnose acute respiratory distress syndrome and manage fluid therapy in various critical diseases. It also allows a rapid detection of left ventricular systolic failure. The information it provides must be considered complementary to that provided by echocardiography. Summary TPTD provides several indices that may help in making decisions during the therapeutic management of haemodynamically unstable patients. It should be used for the most critically ill patients, whose management requires a reliable, precise and holistic view of the cardiopulmonary condition.

Medical science says one of the earliest symptoms of the cardiac disorder is Pulmonary Edema generally said to be fluid accumulation inside the lungs which leads to Congestive heart failure. This accumulation of fluid has high dielectric constant and causes major changes in the electrical properties of the lung tissue, which can be identified by using microwave techniques. Therefore a novel method is used to find the earliest symptom of fluid accumulation first so that cardiac disorder can be analyzed and prevented. The biological tissue of the model has three layers including the skin, fat, and muscle. The proportions of SAR values in the skin, fat, and muscle are considered about 3:2:1, based on which the softwear antenna was designed, accordingly good radiation pattern, gain and return loss was preset on the human model and the performance of the antenna was observed. The earlier symptoms to identify lung water is abnormal body temperature in particular fever, cold and cough. An experimental analysis has been done with various temperature related to human body abnormal temperature, by using the fabricated antenna performance for various temperature and shifting in various frequencies were noted by using the network analyzer.

Extravascular lung water (EVLW) increases in healthy adults upon exposure to high altitude, likely due to increased pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). Older individuals experience increased PVR during exercise, which may be exacerbated by trekking at high altitude. This study aimed to determine whether EVLW development is greater in older versus younger adults during graded altitude exposure. Fourteen younger (32 ± 6y) and 12 older (58 ± 5y) healthy adults completed an 11-day trek of Mount Kilimanjaro. EVLW was assessed at rest via comet tails prior to the trek in Moshi (950 m), at Shira Camp (3505 m), at Barafu Camp (4837 m), and post-descent. An increase in altitude from Baseline to Barafu tended to increase the proportion of participants with mild EVLW (p = 0.06). A higher proportion of older versus younger individuals tended to show mild EVLW at Barafu (56 vs. 14%, p = 0.06). In conclusion, EVLW formation may be more common in older adults trekking at high altitude. However, the presence of EVLW in older adults was subclinical.

The introduction of transpulmonary thermodilution technique allowed us to estimate extravascular lung water (EVLW) and pulmonary vascular permeability index (PVPI) quantitatively at the bedside. The estimation of EVLW by transpulmonary thermodilution has thoroughly been validated in humans against gravimetry which is regarded as the gold standard. EVLW correlates with the prognosis of patients suffering from acute respiratory distressed syndrome (ARDS), confirming it as a key pathophysiological component of this syndrome. Several studies suggest a normal EVLW value to be approximately 7 mL/kg and not exceeding 10 mL/kg. Thus, normal EVLW values can exclude the diagnosis of ARDS. Furthermore, in patients with elevated EVLW, PVPI may distinguish hydrostatic pulmonary edema from ARDS. Thus, PVPI 3 suggests leaky lungs. Although the current diagnostic criteria of ARDS are controversial, EVLW and PVPI can quantitatively express the existence, severity, and nature of pulmonary edema at the bedside. Therefore, EVLW and PVPI may define ARDS and cardiogenic pulmonary edema, guiding the selection of the appropriate therapeutic strategy.

The incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications varies between 1-23 % and these complications can cause serious mortality. Measurement of extravascular lung water (EVLW) is beneficial not only for the prevention of complications but also in weaning, fluid management and monitorization of response to pharmacological interventions. EVLW consists of interstitial, intracellular, alveolar and lymphatic fluid in lungs except for pulmonary vasculature. Its normal range is 3-7 m/kg in healthy adults, values greater than 10 ml/kg point to pulmonary edema. Although the gold standard for measurement of EVLW is the gravimetric method, due to the fact it can only be applied postmortem, measurement methods by using ultrasonography and transpulmonary thermodilution have been developed. EVLW measurement can be affected by renal replacement therapy, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), pleural effusions and high PEEP. New research focusing on the effect of EVLW measurement on postoperative hemodynamic management is necessary in the future.

Water contributes 80% of the lung components; however, most of them existed in the blood vessels and distributed in a gradient of increasing density from nondependent to dependent regions. By definition, extravascular lung water (EVLW) is the amount of water that is contained in the lungs outside the pulmonary vasculature, composed of the sum of interstitial, intracellular, alveolar, and lymphatic fluid; however, pleural effusions did not include [1]. The EVLW monitoring and evaluation play an essential role in pulmonary edema assessment.

Volume overload and fluid congestion are a fundamental issue in the assessment and management of patients with heart failure (HF). Recent studies have found that in acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF), right and left-sided pressures generally start to increase before any notable weight changes take place preceding an admission. ADHF may be a problem of volume redistribution among different vascular compartments instead of, or in addition to, fluid shift from the interstitial compartment. Thus, identifying heterogeneity of volume overload would allow guidance of tailored therapy. A comprehensive evaluation of congestive HF needs to take into account myriad parameters, including physical examination, echocardiographic values, and biomarker serum changes. Furthermore, potentially useful diagnostic tools include bioimpedance to measure intercompartmental fluid shifts, and evaluation of ultrasound lung comets to detect extravascular lung water.

Introduction The extravascular lung water content is determined by the use of lung ultrasound (LUS) which is represented as B-lines. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the LUS measurement of extravascular lung water was correlated to changes in oxygenation. Methods This prospective cohort study was comprised of 73 patients with an average age of 56 (range: 18 to 87 years) who underwent elective cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass. The LUS score was performed preoperatively, time zero (T0), at one hour (T1), and at 24 hours (T2) post-surgery. Additionally, arterial oxygen partial pressure and fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO2/FiO2) ratio were measured at each time and the time-to-extubation. Results A negative correlation was found between the LUS score and PaO2/FiO2 at T1 (p < 0.004). Extubation time and changes in the lung ultrasound score at T0 - T2 were positively correlated (p < 0.03). Plus, there was a positive correlation between fluid balance and lung ultrasound score at T2 (p < 0.03). Conclusion We found three significant correlations that support the use of LUS in cardiac surgery: 1) the more B-lines, the lower the oxygenation; 2) the more B-lines, the longer the period of ventilation; 3) the more B-lines, the more positive the fluid balance. LUS is a non-invasive bedside investigation that can be used to judge extravascular lung water, providing useful information in the management of patient oxygenation, fluid balance, and extubation.

Background and Aims Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are characterized by higher cardiovascular risk resulting amongst others from fluid expansion. Lung water measured by ultrasound (US) technique is increasingly recognised as an effective, quick and objective technique of even subclinical congestion/fluid overload. We aim to search correlates between the amount of artifact b-lines in lungs ultrasound (US-B lines; a metric of lung water), intra- and extracellular water (ICW, ECW), arterial stiffness by pulse wave velocity, result of functional six minute walk tests (6MWT) and global longitudinal strain score (GLS) assessed during heart ultrasound in patients with preserved ejection fraction. Method ICW/ ECW was assessed by bioimpedance (BIA 101 Akern), pulse wave velocity (PWV) by oscillometric method (mobilograph, IEM Germany). GLS was calculated using 2-dimensional speckle tracking. Traditional biochemical cardiac and renal markers and inflammatory markers were also assessed. Results The study included 51 consecutive patients (34 male) with CKD stage 4 and 5 (median eGFR MDRD4 11 ml/min IQR 9; 17) with oligosymptomatic congestion. The median (IQR) EF was 60 (60; 65)%, GLS was -18,7 (-21; -14)%, US-B lines was 10,5 (6; 17). Factors that were associated with US-B lines include BNP (r 0,5), ECW (r 0,4), distance in 6MWT (r –0,48) and hemoglobin (r -0,37). In comparison between groups (below vs above median) with more lung water (>11 US-B lines) and less lung water amount ( Conclusion Lung water assessed by US is an quick and objective measure of congestion in advanced CKD with normal EF showing correlation with BNP concentration, distance walked in 6MWT and with extracellular water in bioimpedance. Its application into daily practice can be recommended.

The heart and lungs are intricately related. For congestive heart failure patients, fluid (plasma) backs up into the pulmonary system. As a result, pulmonary capillary pressure increases, causing fluid to seep into the lungs (pulmonary edema) within minutes. This excess fluid induces extra stress during breathing that affects respiratory health. In this paper, we focus on the effect that high pulmonary capillary pressure has on the development of this extravascular lung water (EVLW). A mathematical model of pulmonary fluid and mass transport mechanisms is developed in order to quantitatively analyze the transport phenomena in the pulmonary system. The model is then validated on 15 male heart failure patients from published literature [1]. The model shows reasonable estimation of EVLW in heart failure patients, which is useful in assessing the severity of pulmonary edema.

Background: Extra vascular lung water (EVLW) following pulmonary resection increases due to fluid infusion and rises in capillary surface and permeability of the alveolar capillary membranes. EVLW increase clinically correlates to pulmonary oedema and it may generate impairments of gas exchanges and acute lung injury. An early and reliable assessment of postoperative EVLW, especially following major pulmonary resection, is useful in terms of reducing the risk of postoperative complications. The currently used methods, though satisfying these criteria, tend to be invasive and cumbersome and these factors might limit its use. The presence and burden of EVLW has been reported to correlate with sonographic B-line artefacts (BLA) assessed by lung ultrasound (LUS). This observational study investigated if bedside LUS could detect EVLW increases after major pulmonary resection. Due to the clinical association between EVLW increase and impairment of gas exchange, secondary aims of the study included investigating for associations between any observed EVLW increases and both respiratory ratio (PaO2/FiO2) and fluid retention, measured by brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). Methods: Overall, 74 major pulmonary resection patients underwent bedside LUS before surgery and at postoperative days 1 and 4, in the inviolate hemithorax which were divided into four quadrants. BLA were counted with a four-level method. The respiratory ratio PaO2/FiO2 and fluid retention were both assessed. Results: BLA resulted being increased at postoperative day 1 (OR 9.25; 95% CI, 5.28–16.20; P

The effects of fluid administration during acute asthma exacerbation are likely unique in this patient population: highly negative inspiratory intrapleural pressure resulting from increased airway resistance may interact with excess fluid administration to favor the accumulation of extravascular lung water, leading to worse clinical outcomes.Investigate how fluid balance influences clinical outcomes in children hospitalized for asthma exacerbation.We analyzed the association between fluid overload and clinical outcomes in a retrospective cohort of children admitted to an urban children's hospital with acute asthma exacerbation. These findings were validated in two cohorts: a matched retrospective and a prospective observational cohort. Finally, ultrasound imaging was used to identify extravascular lung water and investigate the physiological basis for the inferential findings.In the retrospective cohort, peak fluid overload [(fluid input - output)/weight] is associated with longer hospital length of stay, longer treatment duration, and increased risk of supplemental oxygen use (P values 0.001). Similar results were obtained in the validation cohorts. There was a strong interaction between fluid balance and intrapleural pressure: the combination of positive fluid balance and highly negative inspiratory intrapleural pressures is associated with signs of increased extravascular lung water (P 0.001), longer length of stay (P = 0.01), longer treatment duration (P = 0.03), and increased risk of supplemental oxygen use (P = 0.02).Excess volume administration leading to fluid overload in children with acute asthma exacerbation is associated with increased extravascular lung water and worse clinical outcomes.

Extravascular lung water (index) (EVLW(I)) can be estimated using transpulmonary thermodilution (TPTD). Computed tomography (CT) with quantitative analysis of lung tissue density has been proposed to quantify pulmonary edema. We compared variables of pulmonary fluid status assessed using quantitative CT and TPTD in critically ill patients. In 21 intensive care unit patients, we performed TPTD measurements directly before and after chest CT. Based on the density data of segmented CT images we calculated the tissue volume (TV), tissue volume index (TVI), and the mean weighted index of voxel aqueous density (VMWaq). CT-derived TV, TVI, and VMWaq did not predict TPTD-derived EVLWI values ≥ 14 mL/kg. There was a significant moderate positive correlation between VMWaq and mean EVLWI (EVLWI before and after CT) (r = 0.45, p = 0.042) and EVLWI after CT (r = 0.49, p = 0.025) but not EVLWI before CT (r = 0.38, p = 0.086). There was no significant correlation between TV and EVLW before CT, EVLW after CT, or mean EVLW. There was no significant correlation between TVI and EVLWI before CT, EVLWI after CT, or mean EVLWI. CT-derived variables did not predict elevated TPTD-derived EVLWI values. In unselected critically ill patients, variables of pulmonary fluid status assessed using quantitative CT cannot be used to predict EVLWI.

Background: Excessive extravascular lung water (EVLW) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. We compared three lung-ultrasound (L-US) techniques against the reference-standard transpulmonary thermodilution (TPTD) technique to access EVLW. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective, single-blind, cross-sectional study. Forty-four septic patients were enrolled. EVLW index was measured by the TPTD method, and an index of ≥10 mL/kg was considered diagnostic of pulmonary edema. EVLW index was then compared to three established bedside L-US protocols that evaluate sonographic B-lines: (1) a 28-zone protocol (total B-line score [TBS]) (2) a scanning 8-region examination, and (3) a 4-point examination. Results: Eighty-nine comparisons were obtained. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between L-US TBS and an EVLW index ≥10 mL/kg (r = 0.668,P < 0.001). The 28-zone protocol score ≥39 has a sensitivity of 81.6% and a specificity of 76.5% to define EVLW index ≥10 mL/kg. In contrast, the positive 4-point examination and scanning 8-regions showed low sensitivity (23.7% and 50.0%, respectively) but high specificity (96.1% and 88.2%, respectively). Ten patients with a total of 21 comparisons met criteria for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). In this subgroup, only the TBS had statistically significant positive correlation to EVLW (r = 0.488,P = 0.025). Conclusion: L-US is feasible in patients with severe sepsis. In addition, L-US 28-zone protocol demonstrated high specificity and better sensitivity than abbreviated 4- and 8-zone protocols. In ARDS, the L-US 28-zone protocol was more accurate than the 4- and 8-zone protocols in predicting EVLW. Consideration of limitations of the latter protocols may prevent clinicians from reaching premature conclusions regarding the prediction of EVLW. Trial Registration: ISRCTN11419081. Registered 4 February 2015 retrospectively.

Background The inferior vena cava (IVC) dimensions represent the right ventricular preload, whereas the peak early mitral inflow wave velocity (peak E-velocity) represents the left ventricular preload. On the other hand, B-lines represent extravascular lung water. The aim of this study was to evaluate possible acute changes in the IVC dimensions, peak E-velocity, and number of B-lines during hemodialysis therapy. Methods A total of 55 consecutive patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis were enrolled in this study. We performed echo-graphic examinations at three time points (just after the start, during the middle, and just before the end of the hemodialysis therapy). We then investigated the changes in the IVC dimensions, peak E-velocity, and number of B-lines. Results The peak E-velocity decreased from 80 ± 26 cm/s at the start of the therapy to 58 ± 22 cm/s during the middle and 51 ± 21 cm/s at the end of the therapy. The IVC dimensions also decreased from 15 ± 4 mm at the start of the therapy to 12 ± 3 mm during the middle and 11 ± 3 mm at the end of the therapy. The number of B-lines also decreased from 12 ± 5 at the start of the therapy to 9 ± 4 during the middle and 5 ± 3 at the end of the therapy. The changes in the peak E-velocity and IVC dimensions were significantly greater during the first half of the dialysis period than during the second half of the dialysis period (P