Rapid, noninvasive ultrasound scan of the thigh can identify cardiac surgery patients at elevated risk of serious pulmonary complications before symptoms appear.
RT’s Three Key Takeaways:
- Early Risk Detection: A new study is evaluating whether a rapid, non-invasive ultrasound scan of the thigh can identify cardiac surgery patients at elevated risk of serious pulmonary complications before symptoms appear.
- Objective Bedside Monitoring: Measuring rectus femoris muscle wasting could provide an objective bedside method to track patient decline, detect early warning signs of pneumonia, and curb hospital stays.
- Support for Rural Healthcare: A 12-month pilot study in South Australia aims to improve care continuity for regional and remote patients who face longer travel times and fewer follow-up care options.
Between 10% and 25% of post-operative cardiac patients develop pulmonary complications, leading to rapid deconditioning, delayed mobilization, and longer hospital stays, according to researchers from Calvary Adelaide Hospital (CAH) and Adelaide University. To address this risk, researchers from both institutions are investigating whether a quick, noninvasive bedside ultrasound scan can flag early signs of post-operative decline before symptoms become critical.
Funded by a $60,000 Health Translation SA grant through the Medical Research Future Fund Catalyst Grant Scheme, the study assesses whether measuring the rectus femoris muscle—a major thigh muscle—can predict complications following major heart surgery, the researchers announced. If successful, the approach could establish the first objectively verified bedside method to identify cardiac patients at higher risk of pulmonary complications.
“This research is testing whether a quick, low-cost ultrasound scan at the bedside can identify which cardiac patients are most at risk of complications, before they become critical,” said Dr Rosa Virgara, clinical physiotherapist at CAH and Adelaide University researcher. “If we can detect early signs of decline, clinicians can intervene sooner, potentially preventing serious complications and improving recovery.”
Tracking muscle loss in real time could provide an objective metric to monitor patient deterioration, such as early indicators of pneumonia or lung complications, and help reduce length of stay, said Dr Virgara. The researchers noted there is strong reason to anticipate this approach will serve as a valid prognostic biomarker, pointing to recent studies in COVID-19 patients that linked muscle size to pulmonary complications and recovery outcomes.
Addressing Rural Healthcare Disparities
The initiative is also focused on rural and remote populations who encounter specific barriers regarding access and care continuity, according to researchers.
“Patients in regional areas often face longer travel times and fewer follow-up options, which can increase their risk after surgery,” said Dr Virgara, clinical physiotherapist at CAH and Adelaide University researcher. “A simple, bedside tool like this could help bridge that gap by enabling earlier detection and more consistent monitoring, no matter where patients live.”
The intervention will be piloted over 12 months in South Australia to evaluate how the scan performs in real-world clinical environments, according to the project leaders. Input from healthcare consumers and rural communities will inform the rollout, ensuring the care model remains practical, patient-centered, and scalable across diverse healthcare settings.
