Abstract
Background: A remote dielectric sensing (ReDS) system quickly quantifies pulmonary congestion. Nonetheless, its efficacy in predicting an in-hospital increase in plasma B-type natriuretic peptide levels, the potential surrogate of worsening heart failure, remains undetermined. Methods: Patients who underwent ReDS measurement on admission during their hospitalization in the general wards for heart failure between 2021 and 2022 were eligible. The impact of the baseline ReDS value, completely blinded to the attending clinicians, on the in-hospital increase in plasma B-type natriuretic peptide levels of >100 pg/mL from index admission was evaluated. Results: A total of 147 patients admitted with acute-on-chronic heart failure (median age: 79 years; 76 men) were included. The median ReDS value on admission was 28% (25%, 34%). Eighteen patients experienced the primary outcome: plasma B-type natriuretic peptide levels increasing from 461 (207, 790) pg/mL (baseline) to 958 (584, 1290) pg/mL (maximum) (p < 0.001). The ReDS value on admission was an independent predictor of the primary outcome, with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.07 (95% confidence interval: 1.01-1.14; p = 0.028) with an optimal cutoff of 32%. Conclusions: The ReDS system could be a promising tool for predicting in-hospital worsening heart failure in patients hospitalized for heart failure when measured upon admission. The clinical implication of ReDS-guided management of heart failure during index hospitalization requires further studies.