Outcomes of Simplified Lung Ultrasound Exam in COVID‐19: Implications for Self‐Imaging

Objectives Lung ultrasound B‐lines represent interstitial thickening or edema and relate to mortality in COVID‐19. As B‐lines can be detected with minimal training using point‐of‐care ultrasound (POCUS), we examined the frequency, clinical associations, and outcomes of B‐lines when found using a simplified POCUS method in acutely ill patients with COVID‐19. Methods In this retrospective cohort study, hospital data from COVID‐19 patients who had undergone lung imaging during standard echocardiography or POCUS were reviewed for an ultrasound lung comet (ULC) sign, defined as the presence of ≥3 B‐lines from images of only the antero‐apex of either lung (ULC+). Clinical risk factors, oximetry and radiographic results, and disease severity were analyzed for associations with ULC+. Clinical risk factors and ULC+ were analyzed for associations with hospital mortality or the need for intensive care in multivariable models. Results Of N = 160 patients, age (mean ± standard deviation) was 64.8 ± 15.5 years, and 46 (29%) died. ULC+ was present in 100/160 (62%) of patients overall, in 81/103 (79%) of severe‐or‐greater disease versus 19/57 (33%) of moderate‐or‐less disease (P