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round one in four patients undergoing heart surgery develop serious lung complications, and researchers in Adelaide are investigating whether a simple bedside ultrasound could help identify those at greatest risk before complications become critical.
Calvary Adelaide Hospital is leading the 12-month study in partnership with Adelaide University, examining whether changes in the rectus femoris, a major muscle in the thigh, can provide an early indication of a patient’s risk of pulmonary complications following major cardiac surgery.
The project has received $60,000 through a Health Translation SA grant under the Medical Research Future Fund Catalyst Grant Scheme. Researchers will assess whether ultrasound measurements of the muscle can provide an objective way of monitoring patients during their recovery.
Post-operative pulmonary complications affect an estimated 10 to 25 per cent of cardiac surgery patients. They can contribute to rapid physical deconditioning, delayed mobilisation and longer hospital stays, potentially affecting recovery and health outcomes.
Clinical physiotherapist at Calvary Adelaide Hospital and Adelaide University researcher Dr Rosa Virgara said the study was looking at whether a low-cost bedside assessment could help clinicians recognise deterioration earlier.
“This research is testing whether a quick, low-cost ultrasound scan at the bedside can identify which cardiac patients are most at risk of complications, before they become critical,” Dr Virgara said.
The researchers hope that identifying changes in muscle size over time could provide an additional measure of a patient’s recovery and potentially alert clinicians to early signs of problems such as pneumonia or other lung complications.
“If we can detect early signs of decline, clinicians can intervene sooner, potentially preventing serious complications and improving recovery,” Dr Virgara said.
“Tracking muscle loss in real time could give us an objective way to monitor patient deterioration, including early warning signs of pneumonia or lung complications, and help reduce hospital stays.”
The approach is supported by emerging research linking muscle size with respiratory complications and recovery outcomes in other patient groups, including people who have experienced COVID-19. However, the Adelaide study will test whether the measurement can reliably predict complications specifically among patients recovering from cardiac surgery.
The research also has a focus on people living in rural and remote areas, where access to follow-up care can be more difficult after major surgery.
Dr Virgara said patients outside metropolitan areas could face longer travel times and fewer opportunities for ongoing monitoring, potentially making early identification of complications particularly useful.
“Patients in regional areas often face longer travel times and fewer follow-up options, which can increase their risk after surgery,” she said.
“A simple, bedside tool like this could help bridge that gap by enabling earlier detection and more consistent monitoring, no matter where patients live.”
The study will be piloted across South Australia over 12 months to assess how the ultrasound approach performs in real-world clinical settings.
Researchers will also seek input from consumers and rural communities as the project develops. That feedback will help determine whether the proposed approach is practical for patients and clinicians and whether it could eventually be adapted for use across different healthcare settings.
For now, the study remains focused on establishing whether thigh muscle measurements can serve as a reliable warning sign. If the results support the researchers’ hypothesis, the technique could offer clinicians a straightforward additional tool for assessing recovery after major heart surgery, particularly for patients who may face challenges accessing ongoing care.
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