{
  "abstract": "Introduction Bilateral lower limb lymphoedema is common in clinical practice. Differentiating between lymphoedema and peripheral oedema caused by heart failure on clinical assessment is challenging. This study evaluates whether NT-proBNP screening in patients with bilateral lower limb lymphoedema could improve heart failure diagnosis.Methods Over a six-month period, patients with bilateral lower limb lymphoedema were invited for NT-proBNP testing. Patients were excluded if they had undergone echocardiography, NT-proBNP testing or cardiology review within the past six months.Results Of 62 patients identified, 47 met eligibility criteria, and 32 opted to undergo NT-proBNP testing. Eighteen patients (56%) had NT-proBNP levels < 125 pg/mL, making heart failure unlikely. Fourteen (44%) had NT-proBNP levels > 125 pg/mL, with two deemed ineligible for echocardiography. Among the 12 remaining patients, three (9%) had NT-proBNP > 400 pg/mL ( figure 1A). The mean age of these 12 patients was 71.4 years (± 10.9), and 8% were male. One patient (8%) had left ventricular dilation and mildly reduced systolic function in keeping with a diagnosis of heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF). Of the remaining 11 patients, 5 (42%) had evidence of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), with an HFA-PEFF score of 5 or 6 (figure 1B). Six patients (50%) had an HFA-PEFF score of 3–4, indicating risk of HFpEF that requires further testing (figure 1B).Conclusion NT-proBNP screening identified elevated biomarkers in 44% of patients with bilateral lower limb lymphoedema. Among those who underwent echocardiography, 50% were diagnosed with HFpEF or HFmrEF and referred for specialist care, while others remained at risk. Given these findings, we recommend incorporating NT-proBNP testing into routine assessment for bilateral lower limb lymphoedema to facilitate early heart failure detection and timely cardiology referral.Abstract 3-010 Figure 1",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Cardiology, Jersey General Hospital, Gloucester Street, St. Helier, Jersey"
      ],
      "name": "Sinead O’Driscoll"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Cardiology, Jersey General Hospital, Gloucester Street, St. Helier, Jersey"
      ],
      "name": "Vicky Ferguson"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Cardiology, Jersey General Hospital, Gloucester Street, St. Helier, Jersey"
      ],
      "name": "Brian Wang"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Cardiology, Jersey General Hospital, Gloucester Street, St. Helier, Jersey"
      ],
      "name": "Pierre Le Page"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Cardiology, Jersey General Hospital, Gloucester Street, St. Helier, Jersey"
      ],
      "name": "Andrew Mitchell"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Cardiology, Jersey General Hospital, Gloucester Street, St. Helier, Jersey",
        "Oxford Centre for Clinical Magnetic Resonance Research, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, UK"
      ],
      "name": "John A Henry"
    }
  ],
  "title": "3-010 Can screening patients with bilateral lower limb lymphoedema improve heart failure diagnosis?",
  "uid": "fe2f003c-c903-50d0-b04e-f0a636650203"
}