CANBERRA, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- A simple, low-cost bedside ultrasound scan of the thigh could help predict which heart surgery patients are most at risk of serious lung complications, new Australian research shows.
The study, led by Australia's Calvary Adelaide Hospital (CAH) in partnership with Adelaide University, is exploring whether a quick, non-invasive ultrasound of the thigh can flag early signs of post-operative decline in cardiac patients, according to a university statement released Wednesday.
Researchers will assess whether measuring the rectus femoris muscle, a major thigh muscle, can predict complications following major heart surgery. If successful, it could provide the first objectively verified bedside method to identify cardiac patients at higher risk of pulmonary complications, the statement said.
Around 10-25 percent of post-operative cardiac patients develop pulmonary complications, which can lead to rapid deconditioning, delayed mobilization and longer hospital stays, the researchers noted.
The project will be piloted over 12 months in South Australia, focusing on rural and remote populations where unique barriers affect access and continuity of care. ■