The prognostic value of B-lines in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF) is a growing healthcare burden, and its prevalence is steadily increasing. Despite its common occurrence, HFpEF remained a challenge in every aspect. The evaluation of B-lines with lung ultrasound (LUS) is a promising diagnostic and prognostic tool in this population. Objectives The aim of our study was to assess the diagnostic and prognostic performance of B-lines compared with traditional clinical, echocardiographic parameters and natriuretic peptide levels in patients with clinical suspicion of HFpEF. Methods 78 consecutive patients (70.45 ± 6.75 years, 72% female) with suspected HFpEF were prospectively enrolled. Exclusion criteria were: ejection fraction ≤55%, more than mild mitral and/or aortic valve disease, cardiomyopathy, pulmonary disease, pulmonary arterial hypertension, renal failure and anemia. All patients underwent comprehensive echocardiography, lung ultrasound exam and NT-proBNP measurement during their first appointment. Our endpoint was a composite of acute heart failure (HF), hospitalization for the worsening HF symptoms and intensification of diuretic therapy. Also, traditional major cardiac adverse events such as death, myocardial infarction, stroke and revascularization were collected. Results We detected 11 events during 12 ± 6 months follow up. The number of B-lines showed a good correlation with NT-proBNP levels (p < 0,001, r = 0.693). B-lines were found to have similar performance to NT-proBNP in predicting events (AUC = 0.778 vs. 0.770, respectively). Those who had more than 30 B-lines on LUS had significantly worse event-free survival p = 0.004. Having more than 30 B-lines at baseline was associated with 7 times greater hazard of adverse outcomes. Conclusions LUS is a simple, feasible tool to detect pulmonary congestion in patients with HFpEF. In our prospective cohort study, LUS was found to be a useful tool for prognostic stratification. Abstract Figure. Prognostic value of B-lines