Acute Dyspnea

Acute dyspnea is a common cause of emergency department admissions among elderly patients. Acute respiratory failure is often multifactorial and requires rapid and reliable evaluation. Currently, management relies on clinical, biological, and radiological assessments, but diaphragmatic ultrasound could provide an additional tool for real-time respiratory function evaluation. This study aims to integrate this non-invasive technology into the initial assessment of patients to improve care pathways. Hypothesis : Diaphragmatic ultrasound enables reliable assessment of respiratory function and can predict the need for mechanical ventilation.

Patients presenting to the emergency department with acute dyspnea undergo arterial blood gas measurement and monitoring of transcutaneous capnography using the TCM5 monitor. The aim of this study is to determine whether GapCO2, the difference between transcutaneous and arterial pCO2 (PaCO2 - PtcCO2), is correlated with the congestive or non-congestive origin of dyspnea.

This observational retrospective multi-center study focuses on patients treated for acute dyspnea by emergency medical teams. The primary objective is to identify factors associated with the risk of mortality and rehospitalization in these patients. This evaluation will be conducted both overall and within specific subgroups of interest, including gender (men/women), age categories, mode of admission, and comorbidities.