Acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) is the primary cause in up to 40% of older adults presenting with dyspnea,
1 one of the leading reasons for emergency department visits in the United States.
2 The diagnostic workup for ADHF can be challenging and often requires several tests. The insensitivity of guideline-recommended tools for diagnosing ADHF, such as chest radiography (CXR), physical examination, and brain-type natriuretic peptide (BNP),
3,4 is known to delay treatment, which is associated with an increase in mortality.
5,6 In particular, the sensitivity of CXR in detecting pulmonary edema is limited, with 20% being a false-negative.
7,8 Given the limitations of current tools to diagnose ADHF, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Working Group on Emergency Department Management of Acute Heart Failure has prioritized the development of new techniques for the diagnosis and monitoring of ADHF.
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