Timing of previous heart failure hospitalization as a prognostic factor for emergency department heart failure patients.

To investigate whether the timing of a previous hospital admission for acute heart failure (AHF) is a prognostic factor for AHF patients revisiting the emergency department (ED) in the subsequent 12-month follow-up. All ED AHF patients enrolled in the previously described EAHFE registry were stratified by the presence or absence of an AHF hospitalization admission in the prior 12 months. The primary outcome was 12-month all-cause mortality post ED visit. Secondary end points were hospital admission, prolonged hospitalization (> 7 days), mortality during hospitalization and a 90-day post-discharge adverse composite event (ACE) rate, defined as ED revisits due to AHF, hospitalizations due to AHF, or all-cause mortality. Outcomes were adjusted for baseline and AHF episode characteristics.Of 5,757 patients included, the median age was 84 years (IQR 77-88); 57% were women, and 3,759 (65.3%) had an AHF hospitalization in the previous 12 months. The 12-month mortality was 37% (41.7% vs. 28.3% p < 0.001), hospital admission was 76.1% (78.8% vs. 71.1% p < 0.001) ACE was 60.2% (65.1% vs. 50.5% p < 0.001). In the adjusted analysis, patients with AHF hospitalization in the prior 12 months had a higher mortality (HR = 1.41; 95% CI 1.27-1.56), 90-day ACE rate (HR = 1.45: 95% CI 1.32-1.59), and more hospital admissions (OR = 1.32; 95% CI 1.16-1.51), with shorter times since the previous hospitalization being related to the outcomes analyzed. One-year mortality, adverse events at 90 days, and readmission rates are increased in ED AHF patients previously admitted within the last 12 months.

Use of digoxin in the emergency department to treat patients with acute heart failure and its impact on short-term outcomes. / Uso de digoxina endovenosa en urgencias para tratar pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca aguda y su impacto en la evolución a corto plazo.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze factors related to the use of digoxin to treat patients with acute heart failure (AHF) in emergency departments (EDs) and the impact of digoxin treatment on short-term outcomes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We included patients diagnosed with AHF in 45 Spanish EDs. The patients, who were not undergoing long-term treatment for heart failure, were classified according to whether or not they were given intravenous digoxin in the ED. Fifty-one patient or cardiac decompensation episode variables were recorded to profile ED patients treated with digoxin. Outcome variables studied were the need for hospital admission, prolonged stay in the ED (> 24 hours) for discharged patients, prolonged hospitalization (> 7 days) for admitted patients, and all-cause in-hospital or 30-day mortality. The associations between digoxin treatment and the outcomes were studied with odds ratios (ORs) adjusted for patient and AHF episode characteristics. RESULTS: Data for 15 549 patients (median age, 83 years; 55% women) were analyzed; 1430 (9.2%) were treated with digoxin. Digoxin was used more often in women, young patients, and those with better New York Heart Association (NYHA) classifications but more severe cardiac decompensation, especially if the trigger was atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response. Admissions were ordered for 75.4% of the patients overall (81.6% of digoxin-treated patients vs 74.8% of nontreated patients; P .001). The ED stay was prolonged in 38.3% of patients discharged from the ED (52.9% of digoxin-treated patients vs 37.2% of nontreated patients; P .001). The duration of hospital stay was prolonged in 48.1% (digoxin-treated, 49.3% vs 47.9%; P = .385). In-hospital mortality was 7.2% overall (6.9% vs 7.2%, P= .712), and 30-day mortality was 9.7% (9.3% vs 9.7%, P = .625). ED use of digoxin was associated with a prolonged stay in the department (adjusted OR, 1.883; 95% CI, 1.359-2.608) but not with hospitalization or mortality. CONCLUSION: Digoxin continues to be used in one out of ten ED patients who are not already on long-term treatment with the drug. Digoxin use is associated with cardiac decompensation triggered by atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response, younger age, women, and patients with better initial NYHA function status but possibly more severe decompensation. Digoxin use leads to a longer ED stay but is safe, as it is not associated with need for admission, prolonged hospitalization, or short-term mortality.

OBJETIVO: Analizar los factores relacionados con el uso de digoxina en urgencias en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca aguda (ICA) y el impacto pronóstico a corto plazo. METODO: Se incluyeron pacientes diagnosticados de ICA en 45 servicios de urgencias españoles sin tratamiento crónico con digoxina, los cuales se dividieron según recibiesen digoxina endovenosa en urgencias o no. Se recogieron 51 variables relativas al paciente o al episodio de descompensación y se investigó el perfil del paciente tratado con digoxina en urgencias. Como variables evolutivas se investigaron la necesidad de ingreso, la estancia en urgencias prolongada (> 24 horas) en dados de alta y la hospitalización prolongada (> 7 días) en ingresados, y la mortalidad intrahospitalaria y a 30 días por cualquier causa. Se analizó si el tratamiento con digoxina se asoció a diferencias evolutivas, de forma cruda y ajustada a las características del paciente y el episodio de ICA. RESULTADOS: Se analizaron 15.549 pacientes (mediana = 83 años, mujeres = 55%), de los que 1.430 (9,2%) fueron tratados con digoxina. La digoxina se utilizó más en mujeres, pacientes jóvenes, en mejor clase funcional de la New York Heart Association (NYHA), pero con descompensaciones más graves y, sobre todo, cuando existía una fibrilación auricular (FA) con respuesta ventricular rápida como desencadenante. Se hospitalizó el 75,4% de pacientes (más frecuente en tratados con digoxina; 81,6% vs 74,8%, p 0,001), tuvo estancia prolongada en urgencias el 38,3% (52,9% vs 37,2%, p 0,001), hospitalización prolongada el 48,1% (49,3% vs 47,9%, p = 0,385), mortalidad intrahospitalaria el 7,2% (6,9% vs 7,2%, p = 0,712) y a 30 días el 9,7% (9,3% vs 9,7%, p = 0,625). El modelo ajustado mostró que el uso de digoxina en urgencias sólo se asoció con estancia prolongada en urgencias (OR = 1,883, IC 95% = 1,359-2,608), pero no con la necesidad de ingreso, hospitalización prolongada o mortalidad. CONCLUSIONES: La digoxina continúa utilizándose en uno de cada 10 pacientes con ICA atendidos en urgencias que no utilizaban este fármaco de manera habitual. Su uso se relaciona con un paciente cuya ICA ha sido descompensada por una FA con respuesta ventricular rápida, más joven y más frecuentemente mujer, en mejor clase funcional de la NYHA basal y con una descompensación posiblemente más grave. El uso de digoxina conlleva una estancia en urgencias más prolongada, pero su uso es seguro, pues no se asocia a la necesidad de ingreso, hospitalización prolongada o mortalidad a corto plazo.

Hyperkalemia in acute heart failure: Short term outcomes from the EAHFE registry.

OBJECTIVE: Both hyperkalemia (HK) and Acute Heart Failure (AHF) are associated with increased short-term mortality, and the management of either may exacerbate the other. As the relationship between HK and AHF is poorly described, our purpose was to determine the relationship between HK and short-term outcomes in Emergency Department (ED) AHF. METHODS: The EAHFE Registry enrolls all ED AHF patients from 45 Spanish ED and records in-hospital and post-discharge outcomes. Our primary outcome was all-cause in-hospital death, with secondary outcomes of prolonged hospitalization (>7 days) and 7-day post-discharge adverse events (ED revisit, hospitalization, or death). Associations between serum potassium (sK) and outcomes were explored using logistic regression by restricted cubic spline (RCS) curves, with sK =4.0 mEq/L as the reference, adjusting by age, sex, comorbidities, patient baseline status and chronic treatments. Interaction analyses were performed for the primary outcome. RESULTS: Of 13,606 ED AHF patients, the median (IQR) age was 83 (76-88) years, 54% were women, and the median (IQR) sK was 4.5 mEq/L (4.3-4.9) with a range of 4.0-9.9 mEq/L. In-hospital mortality was 7.7%, with prolonged hospitalization in 35.9%, and a 7-day post-discharge adverse event rate of 8.7%. Adjusted in-hospital mortality increased steadily from sK ≥4.8 (OR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.01-1.80) to sK = 9.9 (8.41, 3.60-19.6). Non-diabetics with elevated sK had higher odds of death, while chronic treatment with mineralocorticoid-receptor antagonists exhibited a mixed effect. Neither prolonged hospitalization nor post-discharge adverse events was associated with sK. CONCLUSION: In ED AHF, initial sK >4.8 mEq/L was independently associated with in-hospital mortality, suggesting that this cohort may benefit from aggressive HK treatment.

Effect of Flu Vaccination on Severity and Outcome of Heart Failure Decompensations.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship of seasonal flu vaccination with the severity of decompensation and long-term outcomes of patients with heart failure (HF). METHODS: We analyzed 6147 consecutively enrolled patients with decompensated HF who presented to 33 Spanish emergency departments (EDs) during January and February of 2018 and 2019, grouped according to seasonal flu vaccination status. The severity of HF decompensation was assessed by the Multiple Estimation of Risk Based on the Emergency Department Spanish Score in Patients With Acute Heart Failure (MEESSI-AHF) + MEESSI scale, need of hospitalization and in-hospital all-cause mortality. The long-term outcomes analyzed were 90-day postdischarge adverse events and 90-day all-cause death. Associations between vaccination, HF decompensation severity and long-term outcomes were explored by unadjusted and adjusted logistic and Cox regressions by using 14 covariables that could act as potential confounders. RESULTS: Overall median (IQR) age was 84 (IQR = 77-89) years, and 56% were women. Vaccinated patients (n = 1139; 19%) were older, had more comorbidities and had worse baseline status, as assessed by New York Heart Association class and Barthel index, than did unvaccinated patients (n = 5008; 81%). Infection triggering decompensation was more common in vaccinated patients (50% vs 41%; P < 0.001). In vaccinated and unvaccinated patients, high or very-high risk decompensation was seen in 21.9% and 21.1%; hospitalization occurred in 72.5% and 73.7%; in-hospital mortality was 7.4% and 7.0%; 90-day postdischarge adverse events were 57.4% and 53.2%; and the 90-day mortality rate was 15.8% and 16.6%, respectively, with no significant differences between cohorts. After adjusting, vaccinated decompensated patients with HF had decreased odds for hospitalization (OR = 0.823, 95%CI = 0.709-0.955). CONCLUSION: In patients with HF, seasonal flu vaccination is associated with less severe decompensations.

Emergency department observation of patients with acute heart failure prior to hospital admission: impact on short-term prognosis. / Observación en urgencias previa a la hospitalización en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca aguda: impacto sobre el pronóstico a corto plazo.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze whether short-term outcomes are affected when patients diagnosed with acute heart failure (AHF) spend time in an emergency department observation unit (EDOU) before hospital admission. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Baseline and emergency episode data were collected for patients diagnosed with AHF in the EDs of 15 Spanish hospitals. We analyzed crude and adjusted associations between EDOU stay and 30-day mortality (primary outcome) and in-hospital mortality and a prolonged hospital stay of more than 7 days (secondary outcomes). RESULTS: A total of 6597 patients with a median (interquartile range) age of 83 (76-88 years) were studied. Fifty-five percent were women. All were hospitalized for AHF (50% in internal medicine wards, 23% in cardiology, 11% in geriatrics, and 16 in other specialties. Of these patients, 3241 (49%) had had EDOU stays and 3350 (51%) had been admitted immediately, with no EDOU stay. Having an EDOU stay was associated with female sex, dementia or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, long-term treatment with certain drugs for heart failure, greater baseline deterioration in function, and a higher degree of decompensation. Patients in the EDOU group were more often admitted to an internal medicine ward and had shorter stays; cardiology, geriatric, and intensive care admissions were less likely to have had an EDOU stay. Overall, 30-day mortality was 12.6% (13.7% in the EDOU group and 11.4% in the no-EDOU group; P = .004). In-hospital mortality was 10.4% overall (EDOU, 11.1% and no-EDOU, 9.6%; P = .044). Prolonged hospitalization occurred in 50.0% (EDOU, 48.7% and no-EDOU, 51.2%; P = .046). After adjusting for between-group differences, the EDOU stay was not associated with 30-day mortality (hazard ratio, 1.14; 95% CI, 0.99-1.31). Odds ratios for associations between EDOU stay and in-hospital mortality and prolonged hospital stay, respectively, were 1.09 (95% CI, 0.92-1.29) and 0.91 (95% CI, 0.82-1.01). CONCLUSION: Although mortality higher in patients hospitalized for AHF who spend time in an EDO, the association seems to be accounted for by their worse baseline situation and the greater seriousness of the decompensation episode, not by time spent in the EDOU.

OBJETIVO: Analizar si la estancia en el área de observación de urgencias (AOU) de pacientes que han sido diagnosticados de insuficiencia cardiaca aguda (ICA) y que deben ingresar está asociada con algún cambio en la evolución a corto plazo. METODO: Se recogieron datos basales y clínicos de pacientes diagnosticados de ICA en el servicio de urgencias de 15 hospitales españoles. Se analizó la asociación cruda y ajustada de la estancia en el AOU previa a la hospitalización con mortalidad a 30 días (objetivo primario) y con mortalidad intrahospitalaria e ingreso prolongado (> 7 días) (objetivos secundarios). RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 6.597 pacientes (mediana = 83 años, RIC = 76-88; mujeres = 55%) hospitalizados por ICA (50% en medicina interna, 23% en cardiología, 11% en geriatría y 16% en otros servicios); de ellos, 3.241 (49%) permanecieron en observación en urgencias (grupo AOU) y 3.350 (51%) hospitalizaron sin observación previa (grupo no-AOU). La observación en urgencias se asoció con ser mujer, tener demencia o enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica, recibir crónicamente fármacos específicos para insuficiencia cardiaca, mayor deterioro funcional basal y mayor gravedad de la descompensación. El grupo AOU más frecuentemente hospitalizó en medicina interna y corta estancia, y menos frecuentemente en cardiología, geriatría y cuidados intensivos. La mortalidad a 30 días fue del 12,6% (AOU = 13,7%, no-AOU = 11,4%, p = 0,004); la mortalidad intrahospitalaria fue del 10,4% (AOU = 11,1%, no-AOU = 9,6%, p = 0,044) y el ingreso prolongado del 50,0% (AOU = 48,7%, no-AOU = 51,2%, p = 0,046). Tras ajustar por las diferencias entre grupos, la estancia en observación en urgencias no se asoció con mortalidad a 30 días (HR = 1,14, IC 95% = 0,99-1,31), mortalidad intrahospitalaria (OR = 1,09, IC 95% = 0,92-1,29) o estancia prolongada (OR = 0,91, IC 95% = 0,82-1,01). CONCLUSIONES: Aunque los pacientes hospitalizados por ICA que permanecen en observación en urgencias presentan mayor mortalidad, esta asociación parece explicarse por su peor situación de base y la mayor gravedad del episodio de descompensación y no por su paso por el AOU.

Ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure at discharge as precipitating factors in immediate adverse events in patients treated for decompensated heart failure.

To investigate the relationship of ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure (AP) at patient discharge after an episode of acute heart failure (AHF) with very early post-discharge adverse outcomes. We analyzed 14,656 patients discharged after an AHF episode from 26 hospitals in 16 Spanish cities. The primary outcome was the 7-day post-discharge combined adverse event (emergency department -ED- revisit or hospitalization due to AHF, or all-cause death), and secondary outcomes were these three adverse events considered individually. Associations (adjusted for patient and demographic conditions, and length of stay -LOS- during the AHF index episode) of temperature and AP with the primary and secondary outcomes were investigated. We used restricted cubic splines to model the continuous non-linear association of temperature and AP with each endpoint. Some sensitivity analyses were performed. Patients were discharged after a median LOS of 5 days (IQR = 1-10). The highest temperature at discharge ranged from - 2 to 41.6 °C, and AP was from 892 to 1037 hPa. The 7-day post-discharge combined event occurred in 1242 patients (8.4%), with percentages of 7-day ED-revisit, hospitalization and death of 7.8%, 5.1% and 0.9%, respectively. We found no association between the maximal temperature and AP on the day of discharge and the primary or secondary outcomes. Similarly, there were no significant associations when the analyses were restricted to hospitalized patients (median LOS = 7 days, IQR = 4-11) during the index event, or when lag-1, lag-2 or the mean of the 3 post-discharge days (instead of point estimation) of ambient temperature and AP were considered. Temperature and AP on the day of patient discharge are not independently associated with the risk of very early adverse events during the vulnerable post-discharge period in patients discharged after an AHF episode.

Outcomes of patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction discharged on treatment with neurohormonal antagonists after an episode of decompensation.

AIMS: To analyze the frequency with which patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) discharged after an acute heart failure (AHF) episode are treated with antineurohormonal drugs (ANHD), the variables related to ANHD prescription and their relationship with outcomes. METHODS: We included consecutive HFpEF patients (left ventricular ejection fraction ≥50%) discharged after an AHF episode from 45 Spanish hospitals whose chronic medications and treatment at discharge were available. Patients were classified according to whether they were discharged with or without ANHD, including beta-blockers (BB), renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system inhibitors (RAASi) and mineralcorticosteroid-receptor antagonists (MRA). Co-primary outcomes consisted of 1-year all-cause mortality and 90-day combined adverse event (revisit to emergency department -ED-, hospitalization due to AHF or all-cause death). Secondary outcomes were 90-day adverse events taken individually. Adjusted associations of ANHD treatment with outcomes were calculated. RESULTS: We analyzed 3,305 patients with HFpEF (median age: 83, 60% women), 2,312 (70%) discharged with ANHD. The ANHD most frequently prescribed was BB (45.8%). The 1-year mortality was 26.9% (adjusted HR for ANHD patients:1.17, 95%CI=0.98-1.38) and the 90-day combined adverse event was 54.4% (HR=1.14, 95%CI=0.99-1.31). ED revisit was significantly increased by ANHD (HR=1.15, 95%CI=1.01-1.32). MRA and BB were associated with worse results in some co-primary or secondary endpoints, while RAASi (alone) reduced 90-day hospitalization (HR=0.73, 98%CI=0.56-0.96). CONCLUSION: 70% of HFpEF patients are discharged with ANHD after an AHF episode. ANHD do not seem to reduce mortality or adverse events in HFpEF patients, only RAASi could provide some benefits, reducing the risk of hospitalization for AHF.

Incidence, clinical characteristics, risk factors and outcomes of meningoencephalitis in patients with COVID-19.

We investigated the incidence, clinical characteristics, risk factors, and outcome of meningoencephalitis (ME) in patients with COVID-19 attending emergency departments (ED), before hospitalization. We retrospectively reviewed all COVID patients diagnosed with ME in 61 Spanish EDs (20% of Spanish EDs, COVID-ME) during the COVID pandemic. We formed two control groups: non-COVID patients with ME (non-COVID-ME) and COVID patients without ME (COVID-non-ME). Unadjusted comparisons between cases and controls were performed regarding 57 baseline and clinical characteristics and 4 outcomes. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biochemical and serologic findings of COVID-ME and non-COVID-ME were also investigated. We identified 29 ME in 71,904 patients with COVID-19 attending EDs (0.40‰, 95%CI=0.27-0.58). This incidence was higher than that observed in non-COVID patients (150/1,358,134, 0.11‰, 95%CI=0.09-0.13; OR=3.65, 95%CI=2.45-5.44). With respect to non-COVID-ME, COVID-ME more frequently had dyspnea and chest X-ray abnormalities, and neck stiffness was less frequent (OR=0.3, 95%CI=0.1-0.9). In 69.0% of COVID-ME, CSF cells were predominantly lymphocytes, and SARS-CoV-2 antigen was detected by RT-PCR in 1 patient. The clinical characteristics associated with a higher risk of presenting ME in COVID patients were vomiting (OR=3.7, 95%CI=1.4-10.2), headache (OR=24.7, 95%CI=10.2-60.1), and altered mental status (OR=12.9, 95%CI=6.6-25.0). COVID-ME patients had a higher in-hospital mortality than non-COVID-ME patients (OR=2.26; 95%CI=1.04-4.48), and a higher need for hospitalization (OR=8.02; 95%CI=1.19-66.7) and intensive care admission (OR=5.89; 95%CI=3.12-11.14) than COVID-non-ME patients. ME is an unusual form of COVID presentation (<0.5‰ cases), but is more than 4-fold more frequent than in non-COVID patients attending the ED. As the majority of these MEs had lymphocytic predominance and in one patient SARS-CoV-2 antigen was detected in CSF, SARS-CoV-2 could be the cause of most of the cases observed. COVID-ME patients had a higher unadjusted in-hospital mortality than non-COVID-ME patients.

Frequency, Risk Factors, Clinical Characteristics, and Outcomes of Spontaneous Pneumothorax in Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Case-Control, Emergency Medicine-Based Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: Recent reports of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) developing pneumothorax correspond mainly to case reports describing mechanically ventilated patients. The real incidence, clinical characteristics, and outcome of spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) as a form of COVID-19 presentation remain to be defined. RESEARCH QUESTION: Do the incidence, risk factors, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of SP in patients with COVID-19 attending EDs differ compared with COVID-19 patients without SP and non-COVID-19 patients with SP? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This case-control study retrospectively reviewed all patients with COVID-19 diagnosed with SP (case group) in 61 Spanish EDs (20% of Spanish EDs) and compared them with two control groups: COVID-19 patients without SP and non-COVID-19 patients with SP. The relative frequencies of SP were estimated in COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients in the ED, and annual standardized incidences were estimated for both populations. Comparisons between case subjects and control subjects included 52 clinical, analytical, and radiologic characteristics and four outcomes. RESULTS: We identified 40 occurrences of SP in 71,904 patients with COVID-19 attending EDs (0.56‰; 95% CI, 0.40‰-0.76‰). This relative frequency was higher than that among non-COVID-19 patients (387 of 1,358,134, 0.28‰; 95% CI, 0.26‰-0.32‰; OR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.41-2.71). The standardized incidence of SP was also higher in patients with COVID-19 (34.2 vs 8.2/100,000/year; OR, 4.19; 95% CI, 3.64-4.81). Compared with COVID-19 patients without SP, COVID-19 patients developing SP more frequently had dyspnea and chest pain, low pulse oximetry readings, tachypnea, and increased leukocyte count. Compared with non-COVID-19 patients with SP, case subjects differed in 19 clinical variables, the most prominent being a higher frequency of dysgeusia/anosmia, headache, diarrhea, fever, and lymphopenia (all with OR > 10). All the outcomes measured, including in-hospital death, were worse in case subjects than in both control groups. INTERPRETATION: SP as a form of COVID-19 presentation at the ED is unusual (< 1‰ cases) but is more frequent than in the non-COVID-19 population and could be associated with worse outcomes than SP in non-COVID-19 patients and COVID-19 patients without SP.

Acute heart failure and adverse events associated with the presence of renal dysfunction and hyperkalaemia. EAHFE- renal dysfunction and hyperkalaemia.

OBJECTIVE: To study the outcomes of patients with acute heart failure (AHF) presenting renal dysfunction (RD) or hyperkalaemia (Hk) alone or in combination. METHOD: We analysed the data of the EAHFE registry, a multicentre, non interventionist cohort with prospective follow-up of patients with AHF. Four groups were defined based on the presence or not of RD or Hk alone or in combination. The primary endpoint was 30-day all-cause mortality. RESULTS: A total of 11,935 of the 13,791 patients included in the EAHFE registry were analysed. Of these, 5088 (42.6%) did not have RD or Hk (NoRD-NoHk), 150 (1.3%) had no RD but had Hk (NoRD-Hk), 6012 (50.4%) had RD but not Hk (RD-NoHk) and 685 (5.7%) had both RD and Hk (RD-Hk). Thirty-day all-cause mortality was greatest in the RD-Hk group with an adjusted Hazard Ratio (HR) of 2.44 (confidence interval 95% [CI95%] 1.67-3.55; p < 0.001) and in the RD-NoHk group with an adjusted HR of 1.34 (CI95% 1.04-1.71; p = 0.022). There were no significant differences in in-hospital mortality and reconsultation at 30 days for HF. For the combined endpoint of 30-day all-cause mortality the adjusted HR was 1.33 (CI95% 1.04-1.70); (p = 0.021) for the RD-Hk group. CONCLUSIONS: The association of 30-day all-cause mortality with the presence of RD and Hk in patients presenting AHF at admission is greater than in those without this combination.

Utilidad de la escala MEESSI para la estratificación del riesgo de pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca aguda en servicios de urgencias / The usefulness of the MEESSI score for risk stratification of patients with acute heart failure at the emergency department

Introducción y objetivos: En los servicios de urgencias hospitalarios(SUH), la escala MEESSI estratifica a los pacientes diagnosticados de insuficiencia cardiaca aguda(ICA) según su riesgo de mortalidad a 30 días. Se valida la escala de riesgo MEESSI en una nueva cohorte de pacientes para evaluar su precisión al estratificar el riesgo y compararla en diferentes entornos. Métodos: Se incluyó a los pacientes consecutivos diagnosticados de ICA en 30 SUH durante enero y febrero de 2016. Se calculó la puntuación MEESSI de cada paciente. El estadístico C midió la capacidad discriminatoria para predecir la mortalidad a 30 días del modelo MEESSI completo y los modelos secundarios. Se realizaron comparaciones entre los subgrupos de pacientes de hospitales universitarios y comunitarios, de SUH con actividad alta, media o baja y de SUH que reclutaron o que no reclutaron a pacientes de la cohorte original de derivación de la escala MEESSI. Resultados: Se analizó a 4.711 pacientes (hospitales universitarios/comunitarios: 3.811/900; SUH alta/media/baja actividad: 2.695/1.479/537; SUH participantes/no participantes en el estudio de derivación original:3.892/819). La distribución de pacientes según las categorías de riesgo de la escala MEESSI fue: 1.673 (35,5%) de bajo riesgo, 2.023 (42,9%) de riesgo intermedio, 530 (11,3%) de alto riesgo y 485 (10,3%) de muy alto riesgo, con mortalidades a 30 días del 2,0, el 7,8, el 17,9 y el 41,4% respectivamente. El estadístico C para el modelo completo fue 0,810 (IC95%, 0,790-0,830) y varió de 0,731 a 0,785 para los modelos secundarios. La capacidad discriminatoria de la escala de riesgo MEESSI fue similar entre los subgrupos de hospitales, entre SUH de distinta actividad y entre hospitales reclutadores originales y nuevos. Conclusiones: La escala MEESSI estratifica con éxito a los pacientes con ICA en los SUH según el riesgo de muerte a 30días, lo cual puede ayudar en urgencias a la toma de decisiones sobre el destino de estos pacientes

Introduction and objectives: The MEESSI scale stratifies acute heart failure (AHF) patients at the emergency department (ED) according to the 30-day mortality risk. We validated the MEESSI risk score in a new cohort of Spanish patients to assess its accuracy in stratifying patients by risk and to compare its performance in different settings. Methods: We included consecutive patients diagnosed with AHF in 30 EDs during January and February 2016. The MEESSI score was calculated for each patient. The c-statistic measured the discriminatory capacity to predict 30-day mortality of the full MEESSI model and secondary models. Further comparisons were made among subgroups of patients from university and community hospitals, EDs with high-, medium-or low-activity and EDs that recruited or not patients in the original MEESSI derivation cohort. Results: We analyzed 4711 patients (university/community hospitals: 3811/900; high-/medium-/low-activity EDs: 2695/1479/537; EDs participating/not participating in the previous MEESSI derivation study: 3892/819). The distribution of patients according to the MEESSI risk categories was: 1673 (35.5%) low risk, 2023 (42.9%) intermediate risk, 530 (11.3%) high risk and 485 (10.3%) very high risk, with 30-day mortality of 2.0%, 7.8%, 17.9%, and 41.4%, respectively. The c-statistic for the full model was 0.810 (95%CI, 0.790-0.830), ranging from 0.731 to 0.785 for the subsequent secondary models. The discriminatory capacity of the MEESSI risk score was similar among subgroups of hospital type, ED activity, and original recruiter EDs. Conclusions: The MEESSI risk score successfully stratifies AHF patients at the ED according to the 30-day mortality risk, potentially helping clinicians in the decision-making process for hospitalizing patients

The Usefulness of the MEESSI Score for Risk Stratification of Patients With Acute Heart Failure at the Emergency Department.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The MEESSI scale stratifies acute heart failure (AHF) patients at the emergency department (ED) according to the 30-day mortality risk. We validated the MEESSI risk score in a new cohort of Spanish patients to assess its accuracy in stratifying patients by risk and to compare its performance in different settings. METHODS: We included consecutive patients diagnosed with AHF in 30 EDs during January and February 2016. The MEESSI score was calculated for each patient. The c-statistic measured the discriminatory capacity to predict 30-day mortality of the full MEESSI model and secondary models. Further comparisons were made among subgroups of patients from university and community hospitals, EDs with high-, medium- or low-activity and EDs that recruited or not patients in the original MEESSI derivation cohort. RESULTS: We analyzed 4711 patients (university/community hospitals: 3811/900; high-/medium-/low-activity EDs: 2695/1479/537; EDs participating/not participating in the previous MEESSI derivation study: 3892/819). The distribution of patients according to the MEESSI risk categories was: 1673 (35.5%) low risk, 2023 (42.9%) intermediate risk, 530 (11.3%) high risk and 485 (10.3%) very high risk, with 30-day mortality of 2.0%, 7.8%, 17.9%, and 41.4%, respectively. The c-statistic for the full model was 0.810 (95%CI, 0.790-0.830), ranging from 0.731 to 0.785 for the subsequent secondary models. The discriminatory capacity of the MEESSI risk score was similar among subgroups of hospital type, ED activity, and original recruiter EDs. CONCLUSIONS: The MEESSI risk score successfully stratifies AHF patients at the ED according to the 30-day mortality risk, potentially helping clinicians in the decision-making process for hospitalizing patients.

Influencia del tratamiento con nitratos intravenosos en la mortalidad precoz de pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca aguda. Estudio NITRO-EAHFE / Influence of intravenous nitrate treatment on early mortality among patients with acute heart failure. NITRO-EAHFE Study

Introducción y objetivos. La evidencia sobre la influencia pronóstica de los nitratos intravenosos en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca aguda es escasa. El objetivo del estudio es determinar la influencia de este tratamiento en mortalidad precoz y reconsulta. Métodos. Estudio de cohortes, multicéntrico, prospectivo de pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca aguda en servicios de urgencias en 2 periodos (mayo de 2009 y noviembre-diciembre de 2011). Se incluyó pacientes con presión arterial sistólica > 110 mmHg agrupados en función de si recibieron nitroglicerina intravenosa o no. Las variables objetivo fueron mortalidad a 3, 7, 14 y 30 días y reconsulta a 30 días. Para determinar la influencia pronóstica del tratamiento se realizó un propensity score mediante regresión logística. Resultados. De 4.897 individuos se incluyeron 3.178. Fallecieron a 30 días 308 (9,7%) y reconsultaron 465 (17%). La edad media era de 79,5 ± 10,0 años y 796 (25%) recibieron nitratos intravenosos. Tras emparejarlos quedaron 685 individuos en cada grupo. La hazard ratio de los nitratos para mortalidad a 30 días fue 1,21 (intervalo de confianza del 95%, 0,87-1,70) y para reconsulta 0,93 (intervalo de confianza del 95%, 0,71-1,22). Los resultados fueron similares para la mortalidad a 3, 7 y 14 días (hazard ratio = 1,05 [intervalo de confianza del 95%, 0,56-1,96], hazard ratio = 1,20 [intervalo de confianza del 95%, 0,74-1,94] y hazard ratio = 1,23 [intervalo de confianza del 95%, 0,82-1,84], respectivamente). En presencia de edema de pulmón hipertensivo, el grupo de nitratos mostró una hazard ratio de 0,88 (intervalo de confianza del 95%, 0,47-1,63) para mortalidad a 30 días. Conclusiones. Los nitratos intravenosos no influyen en mortalidad precoz ni en reconsulta en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca aguda (AU)

Introduction and objectives. There is little evidence on the prognostic influence of intravenous nitrates in patients with acute heart failure. Our purpose was to determine the influence of this treatment on early mortality and new visits. Methods. Prospective, multicenter cohort study of patients with acute heart failure in an emergency room during 2 periods (May 2009 and November-December 2011). Patients with systolic blood pressure > 110 mmHg were included, grouped according to whether they received intravenous nitroglycerin or not. Endpoints were mortality at 3, 7, 14, and 30 days and new visits at 30 days. The propensity score was estimated by logistic regression to determine the prognostic influence of the treatment. Results. We included 3178 of 4897 individuals. A total of 308 (9.7%) had died within 30 days and 465 (17%) attended new visits. The mean (standard deviation) age was 79.5 (10.0) years, and 796 (25%) patients received intravenous nitrates. After matching, there were 685 individuals in each group. The hazard ratio for 30-day mortality with nitrates was 1.21 (95% confidence interval, 0.87-1.70) and was 0.93 for new visits (95% confidence interval, 0.71-1.22). The results were similar for mortality at 3, 7, and 14 days (hazard ratio = 1.05 [95% confidence interval, 0.56-1.96], hazard ratio = 1.20 [95% confidence interval, 0.74-1.94], and hazard ratio = 1.23 [95% confidence interval, 0.82-1.84], respectively). In the presence of hypertensive pulmonary edema, the nitrates group showed a hazard ratio of 0.88 (95% confidence interval, 0.47-1.63) for 30-day mortality. Conclusions. Intravenous nitrates do not influence early mortality or new visits in patients with acute heart failure (AU)

Influence of Intravenous Nitrate Treatment on Early Mortality Among Patients With Acute Heart Failure. NITRO-EAHFE Study.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: There is little evidence on the prognostic influence of intravenous nitrates in patients with acute heart failure. Our purpose was to determine the influence of this treatment on early mortality and new visits. METHODS: Prospective, multicenter cohort study of patients with acute heart failure in an emergency room during 2 periods (May 2009 and November-December 2011). Patients with systolic blood pressure > 110mmHg were included, grouped according to whether they received intravenous nitroglycerin or not. Endpoints were mortality at 3, 7, 14, and 30 days and new visits at 30 days. The propensity score was estimated by logistic regression to determine the prognostic influence of the treatment. RESULTS: We included 3178 of 4897 individuals. A total of 308 (9.7%) had died within 30 days and 465 (17%) attended new visits. The mean (standard deviation) age was 79.5 (10.0) years, and 796 (25%) patients received intravenous nitrates. After matching, there were 685 individuals in each group. The hazard ratio for 30-day mortality with nitrates was 1.21 (95% confidence interval, 0.87-1.70) and was 0.93 for new visits (95% confidence interval, 0.71-1.22). The results were similar for mortality at 3, 7, and 14 days (hazard ratio = 1.05 [95% confidence interval, 0.56-1.96], hazard ratio = 1.20 [95% confidence interval, 0.74-1.94], and hazard ratio = 1.23 [95% confidence interval, 0.82-1.84], respectively). In the presence of hypertensive pulmonary edema, the nitrates group showed a hazard ratio of 0.88 (95% confidence interval, 0.47-1.63) for 30-day mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous nitrates do not influence early mortality or new visits in patients with acute heart failure.

Proyecto de mejora continua en el Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Albacete / The quality of Health Care Services. Project of Continuing Improvement in the Complejo Hospitalario Universitario of Albacete

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