Congestion Score of Lucas et al for Class IV Patients with Heart Failure

Parameters assessed at 1 month after presentation with New York Heart Association Class IV symptoms of heart failure:

(1) orthopnea

(2) jugular venous distention

(3) edema

(4) weight gain

(5) new increase in baseline diuretics

congestion score =

= SUM(points for all 5 parameters)

Interpretation:

• minimum score: 0

• maximum score: 5

• The lower the score, the better the outcome.

• A patient presenting with Class IV symptoms and achieving no signs of congestion after 1 month of management can have a prognosis similar to that of a person with Class III symptoms (Nohria et al).