Use of Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) for the Diagnosis of Acute Chest Syndrome in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease
Seethal Jacob, MD
Primary Investigator
Brief description of study
What is the purpose of this study?
Acute chest syndrome (ACS) is a complication of sickle cell disease requiring hospitalization that is characterized by symptoms of fever, low oxygen levels or difficulty breathing in the setting of a new lung finding on chest x-ray. Chest x-rays have historically been used as the tool for diagnosis but have limitations to their use and point of care ultrasound (POCUS) has shown promise as an alternate diagnostic modality. Our study aims to evaluate the reliability of POCUS in an inpatient setting during hospitalizations for complications associated with sickle cell disease in order to show that ultrasound can feasibly and reliably identify ACS.
Detailed description of study
What will happen during the study?
- Patients who participate in the study will undergo lung POCUS on Days 1, 3, and 5 of hospitalization and within 24 hours of any unscheduled CXR during that time.
- Ultrasounds will be performed by ultrasound users in the semi-upright or upright position with patients to best identify focal B-lines or consolidations.
- Ultrasounds will be performed using the anterior-lateral-posterior method for scanning, which includes evaluation of six different ultrasound windows in each lung.
- A recording of the ultrasound will be uploaded into the Core Technology application for later viewing by an expert reviewer.
- No randomization will occur. Clinical treatment will be based on standard of care/clinician decision making.
- Patients will be eligible to participate in the study more than once, as each individual hospitalization will be a unique encounter.
Eligibility of study
You may be eligible for this study if you meet the following criteria:
- Conditions: Sickle Cell Disease, Riley
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Age: 25 years or below
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Gender: All
Inclusion Criteria:
1. Age: 0-25 years old
2. Diagnosis: Patients with a documented diagnosis of sickle cell disease (any genotype)
3. Disposition: Hospitalized for a SCD-related complication (e.g. VOC)
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Patient is considered hemodynamically unstable to undergo consent and study procedures
2. Already has diagnosis of ACS prior to admission to inpatient unit
3. POCUS operator not available
