A NEW VISUAL ANALOG SCALE FOR ASSESSMENT OF DYSPNEA IN CONGESTIVE-HEART-FAILURE

A new (quality of life) visual analogue scale of dyspnoea has been des igned to evaluate the severity of dyspnoea in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). The index has 10 numerical values, rated on a sc ale from 0-10, each value corresponding to an intensity of breathlessn ess. Since dyspnoea is a primary symptom that restricts the quality of life in patients with congestive heart failure, the new scale provide d a simple, easily comprehensible and inexpensive instrument to assess the severity of breathlessness. We also report the sensitivity of the visual scale of dyspnoea before and after the administration of intra venous injection of a diuretic (frusemide) in CHF patients.