Clinical profile and outcomes of patients presenting with acute breathlessness and pulmonary infiltrates in the emergency department of a tertiary care centre
Keywords:
Acute breathlessness;, Emergency department, Intensive care unit, Noninvasive ventilation, Respiratory failureAbstract
Background
Acute breathlessness is a common and potentially life-threatening presentation in the emergency department and contributes significantly to ICU admissions. It is frequently seen in elderly patients with underlying cardiorespiratory comorbidities and requires prompt evaluation and early respiratory support to improve outcomes. This study aimed to describe the clinical profile, etiological spectrum, radiological findings, respiratory support requirements, and short-term outcomes of patients presenting with acute breathlessness to a tertiary care emergency department.
Methods
A retrospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary care centre in Tamil Nadu during December 2025. Medical records of 16 adult patients presenting with acute onset breathlessness, lung infiltrates on chest imaging, and requiring ICU admission were reviewed. Patients with acute coronary syndrome, troponin-I positivity, pulmonary embolism, and traumatic hemopneumothorax were excluded. Data on demographic characteristics, comorbidities, clinical and hemodynamic status, modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea grading, microbiological and viral profiles, radiological findings, neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR), respiratory support, duration of hospital stay, and in-hospital outcomes were analysed using descriptive statistics.
Results
A retrospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary care centre in Tamil Nadu during December 2025. Medical records of 16 adult patients presenting with acute onset breathlessness, lung infiltrates on chest imaging, and requiring ICU admission were reviewed. Patients with acute coronary syndrome, troponin-I positivity, pulmonary embolism, and traumatic hemopneumothorax were excluded. Data on demographic characteristics, comorbidities, clinical and hemodynamic status, modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea grading, microbiological and viral profiles, radiological findings, neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR), respiratory
support, duration of hospital stay, and in-hospital outcomes were analysed using descriptive statistics.
Conclusion: Patients with acute breathlessness were mainly elderly with comorbidities like COPD and hypertension; most were stable with infective radiology. Non-invasive ventilation was associated with better in-hospital outcomes. Early, timely treatments improves outcomes.
