Figure 1
Figure 2
Study data collection list (HF – heart failure; NYHA – New York Heart Association classification; HFrEF – heart failure with reduced ejection fraction; HFmrEF – heart failure with mid-range ejection fraction; HFpEF – heart failure with preserved ejection fraction)_
| Category | Data variable | Measurement description | Data source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demographic data | Age | In full years | Medical record |
| Gender | Male or female | Medical record | |
| Baseline clinical characteristics | Multimorbidity | Yes if more than 2 chronic diseases | Medical record |
| Charlson Comorbidity Index | Using MDCalc software | Medical record | |
| Previously diagnosed heart failure | Yes if any evidence | Medical record | |
| Current therapy | Number of all prescribed medicines | Medical record | |
| Start-point health barometer | Self-evaluated | Interview | |
| Start-point NYHA | On scale I–IV | Interview and clinical examination | |
| History of coronary artery disease | Yes if any evidence | Medical record | |
| Clinical history | History of arterial hypertension | Yes if any evidence | Medical record |
| Exposition to cardiotoxic drugs/radiation | Yes if any evidence | Medical record | |
| Use of diuretics | Yes if any evidence | Medical record | |
| Orthopnoea / paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea | Yes if declared or any evidence | Interview or medical record | |
| Signs of heart failure | Rales | Yes if bilateral | Clinical examination |
| Bilateral ankle oedema | Yes if bilateral | Clinical examination | |
| Heart murmur | Yes if heard | Clinical examination | |
| Jugular venous dilatation | Yes if observed in sitting position | Clinical examination | |
| Laterally displaced / broadened apical beat | Yes if felt | Clinical examination | |
| Diagnostics of heart failure | ECG | Any abnormality | Study |
| NT-proBNP | Positive if ≥125 pg/mL | Study | |
| Echocardiography | Categorisation in HFrEF, HFmrEF, HFpEF | Study | |
| Outcomes | Events related to HF deterioration | The need for the iv diuretic, the emergency service intervention, hospitalisations for non-injury cause or death | Study |
| Days to deterioration of heart failure | For any event related to HF deterioration | Study | |
| Change in health barometer | Self-evaluated | Study | |
| Change in NYHA class | On scale I–IV | Study | |
| Days in hospital due to heart failure | For HF deterioration only | Study | |
| Days alive and out of hospital | Excluding hospital days for whatever cause | Study | |
| Workload | Days alive | Time to death for whatever cause | Study |
| Non-administrative contacts | All and HF related | Study | |
| Therapy modifications | All and HF related | Study | |
| Unplanned referrals | All and HF related | Study | |
Inferior vena cava diameter and collapsibility evaluation (adapted and modified from Kircher, et al_ (22) and Papadimos, et al_ (23))_
| Category | Estimated inferior vena cava diameter | Collapsibility | Estimated central venous pressure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | <1.5 cm | >50% | 0–5 mm Hg |
| Medium | 1.5–2.5 cm | >50% | 6–10 mm Hg |
| Large | >2.5 cm | <50% | >16 mm Hg |
Follow-up plan_
| Test-retest reliability | At inclusion | At inclusion | At inclusion | At inclusion | At inclusion | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intervention group | Physical examination | + | + | + | + | - |
| POCUS | + | + | + | + | - | |
| Evaluation of HF deteriorations | + | + | + | + | + | |
| Control group | Physical examination | + | + | + | + | - |
| POCUS | + | - | - | - | - | |
| Evaluation of HF deteriorations | + | + | + | + | + | |