Role of Lung Ultrasound in the Assessment of Hydration Status of Chronic Haemodialysis Patients

Background Fluid overload is frequent in haemodialysis (HD) and is one of the major factors of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality for chronic haemodialysis patients. The main challenge with chronic haemodialysis patients is indeed the maintenance of a normal extracellular volume through dry weight determination. Our study aimed at assessing the role of lung ultrasound in the detection of B-lines for the determination of hydration status in chronic haemodialysed patients. Methods We conducted a cross sectional study including 31 patients undergoing chronic HD treatment for at least 3 months, in Yaounde University Teaching Hospital dialysis unit. Lung ultrasonography and clinical examinations were performed immediately before dialysis, and 30 minutes after dialysis. Differences between variables before and after dialysis were measured to assess dialysis’s effect. Association between categorical variables was assessed with Chi-squared test or Fischer test, and Rho’s Spearman coefficient for quantitative variables. Results There were reduction in median of B-lines score after dialysis [12(7–26) versus 8(5–13)], clinical score [2(1–3) versus 0((-1)-2)], mean of systolic blood pressure (164.74 ± 26.50 versus 158.48 ± 27.89), frequency of dyspnoea in patients (32.3% versus 6.5%); and raising frequency of cramps in patients (0% versus 19.4%), all statistically significant (p ≤ 0.031). B-lines score before and after dialysis was associated with dyspnoea and raised jugular venous pressure (p