VExUS Score at Discharge as a Predictor of Readmission in Patients with Acute Decompensated Heart Failure: A Cohort Study.

Background: Residual venous congestion is a major contributor to readmission of patients with heart failure, and the venous excess ultrasound (VExUS) score is a potentially useful tool to evaluate systemic congestion.

Objectives: To investigate the association between VExUS score before hospital discharge among patients with heart failure and the risk of readmission due to acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) within 90 days after discharge.

Methods: This prospective cohort study enrolled adults with signs and symptoms of ADHF, left ventricular ejection fraction of 40% or below (heart failure with reduced ejection fraction), New York Heart Association functional class II to IV symptoms, and clinical evidence of venous congestion necessitating intravenous diuretics.