Monitoring Patients With Shortness of Breath With Repeated Ultrasound Examinations

Purpose of the study: The purpose of the trial is to investigate whether repeated ultrasound scans of the heart and lungs of patients with shortness of breath may help to optimize their treatment. This patient group is characterized by an extended hospitalization and a high mortality rate. Therefore, it is essential to be able to target the treatment in order to shorten length of stay, prevent readmissions, and improve survival in these patients. Ultrasound scanning used in this way is novel. The study method: Initially, all patients will receive standard evaluation and ultrasound of the heart and the lungs. Then the patients are randomly assigned into two groups. In one group, patients receive standard assessment and treatment. In the second group, the patients, in addition to standard examination and treatment, receive ultrasound scans of their heart and lungs after two hours and again fire hours after the first scan. After discharge, the subjects are followed for one year to evaluate what examinations and treatment they received during hospitalization, whether they have been readmitted or died.