Author Spotlight: Unveiling Prognostic Indicators in Heart Failure - The Role of Phase Angle and Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis

The scope of this research is to demonstrate the clinical applicability of the phase angle by bioelectrical impedance analysis and Z-score analysis within the emergency department and how phase angle can be a predictive marker for death or readmission at 90 days after discharge. Recent research has been focused on studying the role of phase angle congestion and reduced body cell mass by bioelectrical impedance vector analysis as predictors of poor prognosis in patients with acute heart failure. We have found that the detection of subclinical congestion by bioelectrical impedance vector analysis has been predicting outcomes such as mortality, readmissions, and unplanned emergency department visits.

Having a quick, accurate, and reliable method to assess congestion status and estimate body cell mass at the bedside can aid physicians in making medical decisions to improve a patient's prognosis. Bioelectrical impedance vector analysis Z-score can be used to asses congestion and detect changes in nutrition and nutritional status in patients with acute and chronic heart failure during hospitalization. It can compliment other diagnostic test and serve as a monitoring tool.