Efficacy of remote dielectric sensing in detecting pulmonary congestion in patients without clinical sign and symptoms for heart failure management

Abstract

Introduction: Pulmonary congestion is an underlying cause of heart failure progression and exacerbations, leading to hospitalization. Monitoring of lung fluid levels is essential for enhancing prognosis, minimizing hospitalizations, guiding optimal treatment, and improving overall quality of life. Recently, Remote Dielectric Sensing (ReDS) technology has emerged as a noteworthy advancement. This study explored the effectiveness of ReDS in detecting pulmonary congestion in asymptomatic patients for the management of heart failure. Methods: This study was a single-centric, observational, and retrospective cohort conducted at Department of Cardiology, PBM Hospital, Bikaner, Rajasthan, India. Those patients who visited the cardiology department between July 2023 to August 2023, were enrolled in the study. Data including age, gender, clinical signs and symptoms were systematically collected. Clinical signs and symptoms were assessed based on standard clinical evaluation including dyspnea, fatigue, peripheral edema, jugular venous pressure, leg swelling, low pulse pressure, and third heart sound. A non-invasive ReDS technology was used to measure lung fluid levels and further patients were categorized as non-congested with ReDS score of ≤35% and congested with >35% score. Based on ReDS score, correlation between age and clinical signs and symptoms of congested patients was also assessed. Results: A total of 300 patients with a mean age of 58.03 ± 13.22 years were enrolled in the study. Of 300 patients, 46.3% exhibited no clinical signs and symptoms. ReDS detected congestion in 180 patients, including 20 patients without clinical signs and symptoms. The mean ReDS score of patients with signs and symptoms was significantly higher as compared to patients without signs and symptoms (42.07 vs. 32.17; p