Prevalence of advanced heart failure and use of palliative care in admitted patients: Findings from the EPICTER study.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: Palliative care in patients with advanced heart failure is strongly recommended by Clinical Practice Guidelines. We aimed to calculate the prevalence of advanced heart failure in admitted patients, to describe their management, and to analyse the factors that influence their referral to specialised palliative care. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional, multicentre study that consecutively included patients admitted for heart failure in 74 Spanish hospitals. If they met criteria for advanced heart failure, their treatment, complications and procedures were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 3153 patients were included. Of them, 739 (23%) met criteria for advanced heart failure. They were more likely to be women, older and to have a history of anaemia, chronic kidney disease and cognitive impairment. For their management, furosemide infusions (30%) and vasodilators (21%) were used. Refractory symptoms were treated with opioids (47%) and benzodiazepines (44%). Palliative care was only provided in the last hours of life in 48% of them. A multidisciplinary approach, involving palliative care specialists was sought in 15% of these patients. Treatment with furosemide infusions, an advanced New York Heart Association functional class, to meet advanced HF criteria and the presence of cancer were associated with the referral to specialised palliative care. CONCLUSIONS: Almost one in four patients admitted with HF met criteria of advanced disease. They were older and had more comorbidities. Specialist palliative care services were involved in only a minority of patients, mainly those who were highly symptomatic or had cancer.

Modes of death in heart failure according to age, sex and left ventricular ejection fraction.

Modes of death in patients with heart failure (HF) have been well characterized in randomized studies, but data from real-life are scarce, especially in the elderly, women and in HF with mid-range or preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Our purpose was to examine modes of death in HF patients according to age, sex and LVEF. We analysed the mode of death of HF patients from two prospective multicentre contemporary Spanish registries conducted by cardiologists (REDINSCOR, n = 2150) and by internists (RICA, n = 1396). Mode of death was pre-specified. Out of 3546 patients, 485 (13.7%) died during the 9-month follow-up. Cardiovascular (CV) causes were the most frequent, regardless of the age, sex and LVEF. More than half of patients died due to worsening HF in both groups of patients, followed by other non-CV causes in those attended by internists, and sudden cardiac death in those cared by cardiologists. Stroke was more common among elderly patients, women and HF with preserved LVEF. Non-CV causes, particularly infectious diseases, accounted for a remarkable proportion of deaths, especially in the elderly and in HF patients with preserved LVEF. Functional class, age and anaemia had a strong influence on both CV and non-CV death. CV death due to refractory HF was the most prevalent among our population, irrespective of age, sex or LVEF. However, a significant proportion of HF patients died from non-CV causes, particularly elderly with mid-range and preserved LVEF. These patients could benefit significantly from a multidisciplinary follow-up.

Heart failure with mid-range ejection fraction in patients admitted to internal medicine departments: Findings from the RICA Registry.

AIM: To improve the knowledge on characteristics, treatment and prognosis in patients with heart failure (HF) and mid-range ejection fraction discharged after an acute HF episode. METHODS: We prospectively included and followed 2753 patients admitted with HF to Internal Medicine units. Patients were classified according to ejection fraction (EF) into three strata: reduced, EF <40% (HFrEF); mid-range EF 40-49% (HFmrEF); and preserved EF ≥50% (HFpEF). Clinical, echocardiographic, laboratory data and treatment at discharge were recorded and the groups were compared. A multivariable analysis was performed to evaluate the association of EF with outcomes in these three groups. RESULTS: A total of 10.2% of patients had HFmrEF. They were more likely to be men and to have a history of chronic kidney disease and higher levels of NT-proBNP than those with HFpEF. Compared to patients with HFrEF, these patients had less frequently ischaemic aetiology and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and a higher proportion of atrial fibrillation and hypertension. In HFmrEF, the use of beta-blockers, aldosterone antagonists and antiplatelet drugs was lower than in HFrEF, but the use of calcium channel blockers and anticoagulants was higher. There were no differences between groups in 30-day and 1-year readmission rates. However, patients with HFrEF had significantly higher 1-year mortality (28%) than patients with HFmrEF and HFpEF (20% and 22%, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical characteristics and treatment among patients with HF differ depending on EF strata. Prognosis of patients with HFmrEF is closer to that of HFpEF, being medium term survival better than in HFrEF.

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in heart failure and serum sodium levels.

AIMS: To determine whether there are differences in blood pressure profile on dynamic assessment by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) according to serum sodium levels in stable heart failure patients. METHODS: Data were collected from the Spanish National Registry on Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring in Heart Failure (DICUMAP). Patients underwent ABPM by the oscillometric principle using a Spacelabs 90121 monitor. The sample was divided into three groups according to sodium levels and their clinical and laboratory data and echocardiographic findings were analyzed. Robust statistical methods were used to compare the groups in univariate and multivariate models. RESULTS: A total of 175 patients (44.57% male) were analyzed. We found a predominance of anomalous circadian blood pressure profiles in all three groups, with a significantly higher percentage of risers in the lowest serum sodium group (p=0.05). In addition, in this group there were significant differences in mean 24-hour systolic blood pressure (SBP) (24-h SBP, p=0.05) and in mean daytime SBP (dSBP, p=0.008), with significant differences in nocturnal fall in SBP (p=0.05) and in diastolic blood pressure (p=0.005). In multivariate analysis a significant relationship was found between sodium levels and 24-h SBP (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.95-0.99, p=0.01) and dSBP (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.94-0.99, p=0.004). CONCLUSION: A relationship was found between lower sodium levels and lower systolic blood pressure, especially during waking hours, with a lower decline between daytime and night-time blood pressure.

Impacto pronóstico de la especialidad en el paciente ambulatorio con insuficiencia cardiaca: un análisis emparejado de los registros REDINSCOR y RICA / Prognostic impact of physician specialty on the prognosis of outpatients with heart failure: propensity matched analysis of the REDINSCOR and RICA registries

Introducción y objetivos: La especialidad responsable del paciente hospitalizado por insuficiencia cardiaca (IC) tiene impacto pronóstico, pero esta cuestión no está clara en el medio ambulatorio. Nuestro objetivo es comparar el perfil clínico y pronóstico de pacientes ambulatorios con IC tratados por cardiólogos o internistas. Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo en el que se analizan los datos de 2 registros multicéntricos nacionales, REDINSCOR (n = 2.150, cardiología) y RICA (n = 1.396, medicina interna). Para medir el efecto del especialista, se realizó un emparejamiento por puntuación de propensión que incluyó sus principales diferencias clínicas. Resultados: Los pacientes a cargo de cardiología fueron frecuentemente varones, jóvenes, con IC isquémica y fracción de eyección del ventrículo izquierdo (FEVI) reducida. Entre los seguidos por medicina interna predominó el sexo femenino, la edad avanzada, un mayor porcentaje con FEVI preservada y comorbilidades. La mortalidad a los 9 meses fue menor entre los pacientes del REDINSCOR (el 11,6 frente al 16,9%; p < 0,001), con una tasa de reingreso por IC similar (el 15,7 frente al 16,9%; p = 0,349). La puntuación de propensión seleccionó a 558 parejas comparables y continuó mostrando una mortalidad significativamente menor entre los pacientes tratados por cardiología (el 12,0 frente al 18,8%; riesgo relativo = 0,64; intervalo de confianza del 95%, 0,48-0,85; p = 0,002), sin diferencias en el reingreso (el 18,1 frente al 17,2%; riesgo relativo = 0,95; intervalo de confianza del 95%, 0,74-1,22; p = 0,695). Conclusiones: Edad, sexo, FEVI y comorbilidades contribuyen al distinto perfil de los pacientes con IC según especialidad. Después del emparejamiento por puntuación de propensión, la mortalidad a los 9 meses fue menor entre los pacientes a cargo de cardiología (AU)

Introduction and objectives: The specialty treating patients with heart failure (HF) has a prognostic impact in the hospital setting but this issue remains under debate in the ambulatory environment. We aimed to compare the clinical profile and outcomes of outpatients with HF treated by cardiologists or internists. Methods: We analyzed the clinical, electrocardiogram, laboratory, and echocardiographic data of 2 prospective multicenter Spanish cohorts of outpatients with HF treated by cardiologists (REDINSCOR, n = 2150) or by internists (RICA, n = 1396). Propensity score matching analysis was used to test the influence of physician specialty on outcome. Results: Cardiologist-treated patients were often men, were younger, and had ischemic etiology and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Patients followed up by internists were predominantly women, were older, and a higher percentage had preserved LVEF and associated comorbidities. The 9-month mortality was lower in the REDINSCOR cohort (11.6% vs 16.9%; P < .001), but the 9-month HF-readmission rates were similar (15.7% vs 16.9%; P = .349). The propensity matching analysis selected 558 pairs of comparable patients and continued to show significantly lower 9-month mortality in the cardiology cohort (12.0% vs 18.8%; RR, 0.64; 95% confidence interval [95%CI], 0.48-0.85; P = .002), with no relevant differences in the 9-month HF-readmission rate (18.1% vs 17.2%; RR, 0.95; 95%CI, 0.74-1.22; P = .695). Conclusions: Age, sex, LVEF and comorbidities were major determinants of specialty-related referral in HF outpatients. An in-depth propensity matched analysis showed significantly lower 9-month mortality in the cardiologist cohort (AU)

Prognostic Impact of Physician Specialty on the Prognosis of Outpatients With Heart Failure: Propensity Matched Analysis of the REDINSCOR and RICA Registries.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The specialty treating patients with heart failure (HF) has a prognostic impact in the hospital setting but this issue remains under debate in the ambulatory environment. We aimed to compare the clinical profile and outcomes of outpatients with HF treated by cardiologists or internists. METHODS: We analyzed the clinical, electrocardiogram, laboratory, and echocardiographic data of 2 prospective multicenter Spanish cohorts of outpatients with HF treated by cardiologists (REDINSCOR, n=2150) or by internists (RICA, n=1396). Propensity score matching analysis was used to test the influence of physician specialty on outcome. RESULTS: Cardiologist-treated patients were often men, were younger, and had ischemic etiology and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Patients followed up by internists were predominantly women, were older, and a higher percentage had preserved LVEF and associated comorbidities. The 9-month mortality was lower in the REDINSCOR cohort (11.6% vs 16.9%; P<.001), but the 9-month HF-readmission rates were similar (15.7% vs 16.9%; P=.349). The propensity matching analysis selected 558 pairs of comparable patients and continued to show significantly lower 9-month mortality in the cardiology cohort (12.0% vs 18.8%; RR, 0.64; 95% confidence interval [95%CI], 0.48-0.85; P=.002), with no relevant differences in the 9-month HF-readmission rate (18.1% vs 17.2%; RR, 0.95; 95%CI, 0.74-1.22; P=.695). CONCLUSIONS: Age, sex, LVEF and comorbidities were major determinants of specialty-related referral in HF outpatients. An in-depth propensity matched analysis showed significantly lower 9-month mortality in the cardiologist cohort.

Heart Failure with Recovered Ejection Fraction in a Cohort of Elderly Patients with Chronic Heart Failure.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether patients with heart failure (HF) who recover left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), termed here as 'Rec-HF', have a distinct clinical profile and prognosis compared with patients with HF and reduced LVEF (HF-REF) or HF and preserved LVEF (HF-PEF). METHODS: We evaluated and classified patients from the Spanish Heart Failure Registry into three categories based on enrollment/follow-up echocardiograms: HF-PEF (LVEF ≥50%), HF-REF (LVEF persistently <50%) and Rec-HF (LVEF on enrollment <50% but normalized during follow-up). RESULTS: A total of 1,202 patients were included, 1,094 with HF-PEF, 81 with HF-REF and 27 with Rec-HF. The three groups included patients of advanced age (mean age 75 years) with comorbidities. Rec-HF patients were younger, with a better functional status, lower prevalence of diabetes mellitus, dementia and cerebrovascular disease, and higher prevalence of COPD. The etiology of HF was more frequently ischemic and alcoholic and less frequently hypertensive. After a median follow-up of 367 days, the unadjusted hazard ratios for death in the Rec-HF versus HF-PEF and HF-REF groups were 0.11 (95% CI 0.02-080; p = 0.029) and 0.31 (95% CI 0.04-2.5; p = 0.274). Results were statistically nonsignificant in multivariate-adjusted models. CONCLUSION: Rec-HF is also present in elderly patients with HF but it is necessary to further investigate the natural history and optimal pharmacologic management of this 'new HF syndrome'.

Predictive value of serum galectin-3 levels in patients with acute heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

AIMS: This study was conducted to determine whether galectin-3 (Gal3), a ß-galactoside-binding lectin, has usefulness to predict outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF) and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). METHODS AND RESULTS: We measured Gal3, urea, creatinine and natriuretic peptides on admission in 419 selected patients with HF and LVEF over 45%. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality and/or readmission at one-year follow-up. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were generated for Gal3 and classical risk factors. We also evaluated the reclassification of patients on the basis of the different score category after adding Gal3 levels. A total of 219 patients had combined adverse events, and 129 patients died during the follow-up. Kaplan-Meir survival curve showed significantly increased primary endpoint and all-cause mortality according to quartiles of Gal3 (log rank, P<0.001). Serum Gal3 levels above median (13.8 ng/ml) was a significant predictor of primary endpoint risk after adjustment for age, estimated glomerular filtration rate, anemia, diabetes, serum sodium, brain natriuretic peptide levels, NYHA class and urea, respectively (hazard ratio 1.43, 95% CI 1.07-1.91 P=0.015). The reclassification index increased significantly after addition of Gal3 (9.5%, P<0.001) and the integrated discrimination index was 0.022, (P=0.001). The clinical prediction model with Gal3 increased the c-statistic from 0.711 to 0.731 (difference of 0.020, P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Serum Gal3 is a strong and independent predictor of unfavorable outcomes in patients with HF and preserved LVEF. We also demonstrated the improvement of adding the new biomarker to the model.