Acute respiratory failure is one of the most common diagnosis in patients admitted in the Emergency Department. Acute respiratory failure is associated with morbidity and mortality. Fifteen percent of patient will require ventilatory support and among them 40% will die.

Measurement of diaphragmatic motion (excursion) at ultrasonography is a noninvasive measure, allowing to assess diaphragm dysfunction. It could be useful in predicting poor prognosis in ED patients with respiratory failure .

In this study the investigators will compare the prognostic value of diaphragmatic excursion measurement at ultrasonography to that of the National Early Warning Score (NEWS) 2 in patients presenting with acute respiratory failure in the ED

The Investigators made the hypothesis that measurement of diaphragmatic excursion in ED patients with acute respiratory failure could be of value in predicting the need for ventilatory support or mortality within 28 days from ED admission

Diaphragmatic dysfunction can be explored by measuring diaphragmatic excursion using ultrasonography in spontaneous ventilation patients.

Patients in spontaneous ventilation will undergo both diaphragmatic excursion measurement at ultrasonography and assessment of the News2 score as part of standard care.

Inclusion criteria:

• Age equal or over 18 y.o
• Signs of acute respiratory failure defined by RR equal or over 25 br/min and/or signs of increased work of breathing
• Patients on spontaneous breathing

Exclusion criteria:

• Medical history of diaphragmatic dysfunction including stroke or diaphragmatic paralysis
• Patients on ventilatory support at ED admission or prior to inclusion
• Patients treated with curare
• Trauma patients

Adult patients admitted in the Emergency Department for Acute Respiratory Failure

NC