RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Focused lung ultrasound to predict respiratory failure in patients with symptoms of COVID-19: a multicentre prospective cohort study JF ERJ Open Research JO erjor FD European Respiratory Society SP 00128-2022 DO 10.1183/23120541.00128-2022 VO 8 IS 4 A1 Skaarup, Søren Helbo A1 Aagaard, Rasmus A1 Ovesen, Stig Holm A1 Weile, Jesper A1 Kirkegaard, Hans A1 Espersen, Caroline A1 Lassen, Mats Christian Højbjerg A1 Skaarup, Kristoffer Grundtvig A1 Posth, Stefan A1 Laursen, Christian B. A1 Bock, Ask A1 Dan Arvig, Michael A1 Biering-Sørensen, Tor YR 2022 UL http://openres.ersjournals.com/content/8/4/00128-2022.abstract AB Background In this study we aimed to assess if a focused lung ultrasound examination predicts the need for mechanical ventilation, admission to an intensive care unit, high-flow oxygen treatment, death from COVID-19 within 30 days and 30-day all-cause mortality in patients with clinical suspicion of COVID-19 or PCR-verified SARS-CoV-2 infection.Methods A multicentre prospective cohort trial was performed. Film clips from focused lung ultrasound examinations were recorded and rated by blinded observers using different scoring systems. A prediction model was built and used to test relationship between lung ultrasound scores and clinical outcomes. Diagnostic performance of scoring systems was analysed.Results A total of 3889 film clips of 398 patients were analysed. Patients who had any of the outcomes of interest had a significantly higher ultrasound score than those who did not. Multivariable logistic regression analyses showed that lung ultrasound predicts mechanical ventilation (relative risk 2.44, 95% CI 1.32–5.52), admission to intensive care (relative risk 2.55, 95% CI 1.41–54.59) and high-flow oxygen treatment (relative risk 1.95, 95% CI 1.5–2.53) but not survival when adjusting for sex, age and relevant comorbidity. There was no diagnostic difference in area under the receiver operating characteristic curve between a scoring system using only anterolateral thorax zones and a scoring system that also included dorsal zones.Conclusion Focused lung ultrasound in patients with clinical suspicion of COVID-19 predicts respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation, admission to intensive care units and the need for high-flow oxygen treatment. Thus, focused lung ultrasound may be used to risk stratify patients with COVID-19 symptoms.Focused lung ultrasound can predict need for intensive care treatment in patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19. A simple ultrasound examination including only the anterior and lateral sides of the thorax is accurate. https://bit.ly/3CTf3p6