Ultrasound in Acute Dyspnea in the Field

All patients with acute dyspnea in the time o the investigation in the field-prehospital settingInclusion criterion for the study was shortness of breath as the primary complaint (defined as either the sudden onset of dyspnea without history of chronic dyspnea or an increase in the severity of chronic dyspnea). Exclusion criteria were age <18 years, history of renal insufficiency, trauma, severe coronary ischemia (unless patient's predominant presentation was dyspnea), and other causes of dyspnea: pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, carcinoma, pneumothorax, pleural effusion, intoxications (drugs), anaphylactic reactions, upper airway obstruction, bronchial stenosis, and gastroesophageal reflux disorder, according to the history, clinical status, and additional laboratory tests available in prehospital setting (D-dimer, troponin, C-reactive protein)