Point-of-care Ultrasound for Detecting Methamphetamine-associated Heart Failure in the Emergency Department.
Point-of-care ultrasound found reduced ejection fraction in nearly a third of methamphetamine users.
Point-of-care Ultrasound for Detecting Methamphetamine-associated Heart Failure in the Emergency Department.
Methamphetamine-associated heart failure with reduced ejection fraction is a serious consequence of methamphetamine use often underrecognized in the emergency department (emergency department).
This study evaluated the diagnostic yield of point-of-care ultrasound for detecting methamphetamine-associated heart failure with reduced ejection fraction in emergency department patients who use methamphetamine.
We conducted this prospective cohort study between December 2020-February 2024 at an urban Level I trauma center emergency department.
nearly a third had weakened heart pumping function
Of the 136 enrolled patients, 84 (61.8%) reported methamphetamine use.
Corresponding values in non-users were 3 of 52 (5.8% [1.2-16.0%]; P < .001), 10 of 52 (19.2% [9.6-32.5%]; P = .05), and 3 of 52 (5.8% [1.2 - 16.0%]; P = .07), respectively.
Longer duration (odds ratio [OR] 6.05, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.46-25.10) and higher frequency (OR 5.93, 95% CI, 1.52-23.06) of methamphetamine use were associated with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction.
Cardiac point-of-care ultrasound demonstrated a clinically significant diagnostic yield in detecting methamphetamine-associated heart failure with reduced ejection fraction among methamphetamine users in the emergency department, suggesting point-of-care ultrasound could aid early detection in this population, potentially streamlining management before disease progression.