Prognostic Value of Lung Ultrasound for Clinical Outcomes in Heart Failure Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract Background There is conflicting information about whether lung ultrasound assessed by B-lines has prognostic value in patients with heart failure (HF). Objectives To evaluate the prognostic value of lung ultrasound assessed by B-lines in HF patients. Methods Four databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Scopus) were systematically searched to identify relevant articles. We pooled the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) from eligible studies and carried out heterogeneity, quality assessment, and publication bias analyses. Data were pooled using a fixed-effects or random-effect model. A p value 15 and > 30 at discharge were significantly associated with increased risk of combined outcomes of all-cause mortality or HF hospitalization (HR, 3.37, 95% CI, 1.52-7.47; p = 0.003; HR, 4.01, 95% CI, 2.29-7.01; p 30 cutoff at discharge was significantly associated with increased risk of HF hospitalization (HR, 9.01, 95% CI, 2.80-28.93; p 3 cutoff significantly increased the risk for combined outcomes of all-cause mortality or HF hospitalization in HF outpatients (HR, 3.21, 95% CI, 2.09-4.93; I2 = 10%; p