Basics in Acute Shortness of Breath EvaLuation (BASEL V) Study
Basics in Acute Shortness of Breath EvaLuation (BASEL V) Study
To improve the diagnostic and prognostic utility of various biomarkers, detailed patient's
 history, physical examinations and technical devices in patients presenting with acute
 dyspnea.
Background: Acute heart failure is a common disease associated with high morbidity and
 mortality. Unfortunately, pathophysiology and optimal initial treatment are both ill defined.

 Working Hypothesis:

 -  Improved understanding of the pathophysiology underlying heart failure might allow more
 cause-specific treatment to this syndrome.

 -  More rapid diagnosis of acute heart failure may allow to more rapidly initiate the
 appropriate treatment.

 -  Cardiac dysfunction especially in comorbid dyspneic patients is not adequately
 characterized and the spectrum of acute heart failure is more diverse than originally
 thought.

 Methods: This is a large multicenter center, observational study enrolling unselected,
 consecutive patients with acute dyspnea presenting to the Emergency Department. Patient
 history, physical examination and laboratory parameters will be systematically obtained.
 Echocardiographic examinations will be routinely performed. Follow-up will be done at
 specified intervals (3, 6 and 12 months) after the initial presentation and risk predictors
 will be analyzed in multivariable regression models.

 Expected Value of the Proposed Project: The data obtained during this project will help to
 further improve diagnostics and prognostics in patients with acute dyspnea and to better
 understand underlying pathology of cardiac dysfunction in this cohort.

 Significance: The study aims are up-to-date and deal with an important health care problem in
 society. Conclusions drawn will significantly change care of patients with acute heart
 failure probably leading to a significant reduction of rehospitalization, morbidity and
 mortality.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  chief complaint of dyspnea (not penetrating injury or trauma related)

 -  subjects must be at least 18 years of age

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  patient is unable or unwilling to give informed consent

 -  patient on hemodialysis