A new visual analogue scale for assessment of dyspnoea in congestive heart failure

A new (quality of life) visual analogue scale of dyspnoea has been designed to evaluate the severity of dyspnoea in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). The index has 10 numerical values, rated on a scale from 0-10, each value corresponding to an intensity of breathlessness. Since dyspnoea is a primary symptom that restricts the quality of life in patients with congestive heart failure, the new scale provided 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 intravenous injection of a diuretic (frusemide) in CHF patients.