Cardiometry-driven insights: enhancing outcome prediction in community acquired pneumonia

Abstract

Purpose
Multiple scores are present to predict pneumonia severity and outcome. Pneumonia with airspace consolidation is generally associated with elevated intra-alveolar fluid. Electrical cardiometry (EC) measures thoracic fluid content (TFC). This work aimed to evaluate the role of EC in predicting the severity and mortality of community-acquired pneumonia.


Methodology
This study included 86 patients with community-acquired pneumonia. Baseline pneumonia severity scores (pneumonia severity index, confusion, urea (blood urea nitrogen), respiratory rate, blood pressure, and 65 (age 65 or older), and shock index and hypoxemia) and EC parameters were recorded. Outcome parameters (hospital stay and mortality) were assessed.


Results
TFC was significantly higher in ICU admitted patients than ward admitted patients. Area under the curve for TFC was good in differentiating between Ward and ICU admitted patients and survivors from nonsurvivors (mortality) with the best detected cut off points were 32.5, and 37.5, respectively, and sensitivity was 78.5%, and 72.3, respectively.


Conclusions
EC is a noninvasive, practical, simple, and safe method for predicting the severity of pneumonia. TFC parameter is helpful in the prediction of pneumonia severity and mortality.