Pleural effusion and ascites with the finding of b-lines in pulmonary ultrasonography in cirrhotic patients

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this research is to look for an association between pleural effusion, ascites and B lines at lung ultrasound in cirrhotic patients listed for liver transplantation. Method: This is a single-center observational longitudinal research that evaluated 56 patients listed for liver transplantation, from Gastrocentro - UNICAMP. Information about general data and liver disease was gathered and the patients were submitted for lung and abdominal ultrasound for the detection of B lines, pleural effusion and ascites. Results: In the 56 patients studied, 7 of them had pleural effusion representing 12,5% of the total group and 49 of them had no effusion, 87,5% of the total. Diffuse B lines were found in 27 patients, representing 48,21% of the sample and ascites were found in 16, corresponding 28,57% of the group. In patients with pleural effusion, B lines were detected in 3 subjects, equivalent of 42,85% (p=1,00), and ascites were found in 5 patients, representing 71,42% of the group with pleural effusion (p=0,016). Conclusion: Among the variables evaluated in this study, only pleural effusion and ascites were statistically relevant. The presence of B lines, on the other hand, is not directly related to the presence of pleural effusion.