Handheld Ultrasound Evaluation of the Inferior Vena Cava to Guide Heart Failure Treatment

The purpose of this research study is to investigate the use of pocket ultrasound device, called Vscan, in guiding diuretic therapy in ambulatory and inpatient Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) patients. Specifically, Vscan will be used to monitor Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) diameters with the goal of reaching a 50% reduction in IVC when compared to baseline measurements. We hypothesize that compared to the conventional clinical assessment Guided Diuretic Therapy, this new proposed Vscan guided therapy will result in reduction in hospitalization rates. This study is composed of two independent non-interacting randomized single blinded trials-one in the outpatient setting and one in the inpatient setting. 138 total patients and 300 patients will be recruited to the ambulatory trial and inpatient trial respectively.

1. Objectives The objective of the study is to determine whether a simple one step protocol of increasing diuretics to guide a 50% reduction of IVC diameter from baseline measurements results in reduction in hospitalization rates as compared to those seen in therapy determined on the basis of conventional clinical evaluation by a CHF specialist.
2. Background Congestive heart failure (CHF) remains a leading cause of death in industrialized countries. Despite advances in medical treatment, an estimated 250,000-300,000 CHF patients are hospitalized in the United States each year for symptoms caused by low cardiac output (CO). Although the events that cause acute decompensation are multifactorial, the common pathway associated with decreased ventricular function are autonomic dysfunction and fluid retention. It has been previously suggested that an estimated 50%-66% of CHF hospitalizations may be preventable with improved monitoring of fluid volume status. The size and shape of the inferior vena cava (IVC) is correlated to the central venous pressure and circulating blood volume. Therefore evaluation of the IVC provides an instantaneous non-invasive measure of volume status.