Lung ultrasound evaluation of diabetic patients with acute onset dyspnea and its relationship with established markers of heart failure

Abstract

ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to assess the interrelation between sonographic pleural B-Line, left ventricular function and Naturetic Peptides in type 2 Diabetics with acute onset class III-IV dyspnea. There is dearth of data in this subset of patients in Asian population. MethodsSubjects (n=73) were divided into those with pleural B line (Group A, n=41) and those without (Group B) and their serum B type Naturetic Peptide (BNP) and Echocardiography evaluated. ResultsThe serum BNP was significantly higher and mean Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) lower in Group A compared to Group B (p<0.001). There was a significant negative correlation between LVEF and BNP and positive correlation between E/E’ and BNP. Among patients with LVEF 40% and above (n=36), patients with B line had significantly higher BNP and E/E’ compared to those without. Group A had significantly more patients on insulin therapy and troponin positivity than Group B (p<0.01). On auscultation though crepitations was found more frequently in group A but it was present in only 50% of the subset. ConclusionPleural B-Lines, LVEF and mitral inflow E/septal E’ can be used to rule in heart failure in the above population.