Prevalence and Prognostic Value of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Patients Hospitalized With Decompensated Chronic Heart Failure.

Aim    To study the incidence and effect of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) on clinical outcomes in patients with decompensated chronic heart failure (DCHF).Material and methods    The study included 338 patients with NYHA functional class III-IV DCHF (51.2% men, mean age 72.8±11.7 years), arterial hypertension (AH) in 90%, myocardial infarction in 37%, atrial fibrillation in 64%, chronic kidney disease (CKD) in 42%, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in 35%, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <40% in 27%. NAFLD was diagnosed based on the 2021 Clinical Guidelines of the Russian Scientific Medical Society of Therapists and the Scientific Society of Gastroenterologists of Russia. The stage of liver steatosis was determined using transient elastometry with assessment of the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) of ultrasound (S, dB/m) using a FibroScan device. Threshold CAP values <294 dB/m corresponded to the degree of steatosis: S0; S1, 295-309 dB/m; S2, 310-330 dB/m; S3, ≥331 dB/m.Results    NAFLD was diagnosed in 28.9% of patients. The patients were divided into two groups: group 1 included patients with CHF and NAFLD (n=98 (28.9%), 50.0% men) and group 2 included patients with CHF without NAFLD (n=240 (71.0 %), 51.6% men). A multivariate regression analysis showed that independent predictors of NAFLD were systolic blood pressure ≥130 mm Hg (odds ratio (OR), 3.700; p <0.001), history of T2DM (OR, 2.807; p <0.005), and waist circumference >111 cm (OR, 2.530; p <0.012). Patients with CAP ≥331 dB/m (S3) had a worse prognosis during the 2-year follow-up for the composite adverse outcome (all-cause mortality + readmission) (Kaplan-Meier curves - Log-Rank p=0.035).Conclusions    NAFLD was detected in almost one-third of patients hospitalized for DCHF. AH, T2DM, and abdominal obesity were associated with a high risk of NAFLD. However, only severe steatosis (S3) was an independent predictor of adverse clinical outcomes during a 2-year period after adjustment for known risk factors.

Female and Male Phenotypes of Iron Deficiency in CHF. Additional analysis of the «The Prevalence of Iron Deficiency in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure in the Russian Federation (J-CHF-RF)¼ study.

Aim    To evaluate the incidence of iron deficiency (ID) in men and women with chronic heart failure (CHF) and to compare clinical and functional indexes in patient with and without ID depending on the gender.Material and methods    An additional analysis of the study "Prevalence of Iron Deficiency in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure in the Russian Federation (ID-CHF-RF)" was performed. The study included 498 (198 women, 300 men) patients with CHF, in whom, in addition to iron metabolism, the quality of life and exercise tolerance (ET) were studied. 97 % of patients were enrolled during their stay in a hospital. ID was defined in consistency with the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Guidelines. Also, and additional analysis was performed according to ID criteria validated by the morphological picture of the bone marrow.Results    ID was detected in 174 (87.9 %) women and 239 (79.8 %) men (p=0.028) according to the ESC criteria, and in 154 (77.8 %) women and 217 (72.3 %) men (p=0.208) according to the criteria validated by the morphological picture of the bone marrow. Men with ID were older and had more severe CHF. They more frequently had HF functional class (FC) III and IV (63.4 % vs. 43.3 % in men without ID); higher concentrations of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and lower ET. HF FC III increased the probability of ID presence 3.4 times (p=0.02) and the probability of HF FC IV 13.7 times (p=0.003). This clinical picture was characteristic of men when either method of determining ID was used. In women, ID was not associated with more severe CHF.Conclusion    Based on the presented analysis, it is possible to characterize the male and female ID phenotypes. The male ID phenotype is associated with more severe CHF, low ET, and poor quality of life. In females of the study cohort, ID was not associated with either the severity of CHF or with ET.

[Prognostic Value of Right Ventricular Dysfunction in Patients With Decompensated Chronic Heart Failure].

Aim      To determine the incidence rate and the practical significance of right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) in the development of cardiovascular complications in patients with decompensated chronic heart failure (DCHF).Material and methods  This prospective, single-site observational study included 171 patients older than 18 years with NYHA functional class (FC) II-IV chronic heart failure (CHF) who were hospitalized for DCHF. Standard and extended 2D and 3D echocardiography (EchoCG) was performed for all patients on admission. Additionally, functional characteristics of the right ventricle (RV) were evaluated in the 3D mode followed by autonomic 3D processing with a EchoPac station (USA). RVD was taken as a disorder of two or more RV functional parameters according to results of 2D EchoCG, or a reduced RV free wall strain according to results of 2D speckle-tracking EchoCG, or a reduced RV ejection fraction (EF) according to results of 3D EchoCG. Statistical analysis was performed with a SPSS Statistics v. 26.0 software.Results The incidence rate of RVD in general population of patients with DCHF was 75.4 % (n=129). A higher prevalence of RVD was observed in patients with CHF with a low left ventricular (LV) EF (90.1 %). Patients with RVD had a more severe clinical status (significantly higher FC and higher Clinical Condition Scale (CCS) scores), more frequent atrial fibrillation (AF), and higher concentrations of uric acid and total bilirubin. RVD significantly correlated with male sex (odds ratio (OR), 2.05; 95 % confidence interval (CI), 1.01-4.19; р=0.046) and AF (OR, 3.52; 95 % CI, 1.71-7.26; р<0.001). Patients with RVD had lower values of both LV and RV function. Lower LV EF and AF increased the probability of RVD by 1.06 times (95 % CI, 0.90-0.98; р=0.001) and by 2.63 times (95 % CI, 1.08-6.40; р=0.001), respectively. Evaluation of the predictive significance of RV parameters measured by 2D and 3D EchoCG showed only effects of RV EF (2D) and RV global longitudinal strain (GLS) (3D) on all-cause hospitalization. RVD as evaluated by accepted criteria did not influence adverse outcomes.Conclusion      The determined incidence, correlations, and the predictive value of RVD in patients with DCHF indicated the appropriateness of assessing the RV function to optimize the management of patients regardless of the CHF phenotype.

[Pharmacotherapy of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: heart failure basic therapy and an episode of decompensation].

A qualitative change in the risk profile after an episode of decompensated heart failure (HF) calls for an as immediate as possible therapeutic response. In the absence of uniform guidelines for the sequence and timing of administering the background therapy during the hospitalization period and the subsequent "vulnerable" period, clinicians have to rely on available expert opinions and results of conducted studies. The article focuses on an evidence base for the use of background therapy for HF during the above-mentioned periods. Special attention is paid to the conditions and principles of initiating this therapy.

[Global and national trends in the evolution of infective endocarditis].

For the recent 20 years, substantial changes have occurred in all aspects of infectious endocarditis (IE), the evolution of risk factors, modernization of diagnostic methods, therapeutic and preventive approaches. The global trends are characterized by increased IE morbidity among people older than 65 who use intravenous psychoactive drugs. The epidemiological trend is represented by reduced roles of chronic rheumatic heart disease and congenital heart defects, increased proportion of IE associated with medical care, valve replacement, installation of intracardiac devices, and increased contribution of Staphylococcus spp. and Enterococcus spp. to the IE etiology. Additional visualization methods (fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography with 18F-fludesoxyglucose (18F-FDG PET-CT), labeled white blood cell single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and modernization of the etiological diagnostic algorithm for determining the true pathogen (immunochemistry, polymerase chain reaction, sequencing) also become increasingly important. The COVID-19 pandemic has also adversely contributed to the IE epidemiology. New prospects of treatment have emerged, such as bacteriophages, lysins, oral antibacterial therapy, minimally invasive surgical strategies (percutaneous mechanical aspiration), endovascular mechanical embolectomy. The physicians' compliance with clinical guidelines (CG) is low, which contributes to the high rate of adverse outcomes of IE, while simple adherence to the CG together with more frequent use of surgical treatment doubles survival. Systematic adherence to CG, timely prevention and implementation of the Endocarditis Team into practice play the decisive role in a favorable prognosis of dynamically changing IE. This article presents the authors' own data that confirm the evolutionary trends of current IE.

Prognostic Value of Subclinical Pulmonary Congestion With Stress Ultrasound of the Lungs in the Development of Heart Failure in Patients With Primary Myocardial Infarction and Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Aim      To determine the clinical and prognostic significance of subclinical pulmonary congestion, as evaluated by stress ultrasound (stress-US) examination of the lungs, in the development of heart failure (HF) during the postinfarction period after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).Material and methods  This prospective observational study included 103 patients with no history of HF and with the first AMI and successful PCI. Standard laboratory tests, including the measurement of NT-proBNP, echocardiography, stress-US of the lungs with a 6-min walk test (6MWT), were performed for all patients. Pulmonary congestion was diagnosed with the total number of B lines ≥2 during stress: mild (2-4 B lines), moderate (5-9 B lines), and severe (≥10 В lines). Subclinical pulmonary congestion implied the absence of clinical signs of congestion in the presence of ultrasonic signs of pulmonary congestion (>2 В lines) during stress. The phenomenon of "wet" lung was identified when the total number of B lines was <2 at rest ("dry" lung) and ≥2 after stress. When the total number of B lines was >2 at rest ("wet" lung at rest) and ≥2 after stress, the phenotype was identified as "very wet" lung. The endpoint was hospitalization for HF during 1.5 years.Results The study showed a high incidence of subclinical pulmonary congestion as determined by the results of stress-US test of the lungs, mild (18.4 %), moderate (37.9 %) and severe (42.7 %), and of "wet" and "very wet" lung phenotypes (65 %). The "wet/very wet" lung phenotypes correlated with the body weight index (R=0.236; p=0.016), troponin concentration upon admission and at 6-12 h (R=0.231; p=0019 and R=0.212; p=0.033, respectively), NT-proBNP concentration (R=0.276; p=0.035), Е peak (R=0.241; p=0.019), global longitudinal strain (GLS) (R=-0.208; p=0.034), and left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (R=0.351; p=0.0004). The higher probability of hospitalization for HF during 1.5 years after the discharge from the hospital correlated with a LV EF ≤48 % (OR, 4.04; 95 % CI: 1.49-10.9; р=0.006), a post-stress total number of B lines ≥10 (OR, 3.10; 95 % CI: 1.06-9.52; р=0.038), a pulmonary artery systolic pressure >27 mm Hg (OR, 3.7; 95 % CI: 1.42-9.61; р=0.007).Conclusion      Stress-US of the lungs with evaluation of the total number of B lines should be performed for patients after the first AMI and PCI and with no clinical signs of congestion, for stratification of the risk for HF in the postinfarction period.

[Iron deficiency in Russia heart failure patients. Observational cross-sectional multicenter study].

Aim    To evaluate the prevalence of iron deficiency (ID) in Russian patients with heart failure (HF).Material and methods    Iron metabolism variables were studied in 498 (198 women, 300 men) patients with HF. Data were evaluated at admission for HF (97 %) or during an outpatient visit (3 %). ID was determined according to the European Society of Cardiology Guidelines.Results    83.1 % of patients had ID; only 43.5 % of patients with ID had anemia. Patients with ID were older: 70.0 [63.0;79.0] vs. 66.0 years [57.0;75.2] (p=0.009). The number of patients with ID increased in parallel with the increase in HF functional class (FC). Among patients with ID, fewer people were past or current alcohol users (p=0.002), and a greater number of patients had atrial fibrillation (60.1 vs. 45.2 %, p=0.016). A multiple logistic regression showed that more severe HF (HF FC) was associated with a higher incidence of ID detection, whereas past alcohol use was associated with less pronounced ID. An increase in N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) by 100 pg/ml was associated with an increased likelihood of ID (odds ratio, 1.006, 95 % confidence interval: 1.002-1.011, p=0.0152).Conclusion    The incidence rate of HF patients is high in the Russian Federation (83.1 %). Only 43.5 % of these patients had anemia. The prevalence of ID in the study population increased with increases in HF FC and NT-proBNP.

Effectiveness of indapamide/amlodipine single-pill combination in patients with isolated systolic hypertension: post-hoc analysis of the ARBALET study.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the effectiveness of treatment with an indapamide/amlodipine single-pill combination (SPC) in outpatients with uncontrolled isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) aged over 55 years in real-life clinical practice. METHODS: This was a post-hoc analysis of the subgroup of patients with ISH from ARBALET, a 3-month, multicenter, observational, open-label study conducted in Russia among patients with grade I or II hypertension who were either uncontrolled on previous antihypertensive treatment or treatment-naïve. The effectiveness of indapamide/amlodipine SPC was assessed by the change in office systolic blood pressure (SBP) and the rate of target SBP (< 140 mmHg) achievement at 2 weeks, 1 month and 3 months, in four age groups: 55-59 years, 60-69 years, 70-79 years, and 80 years or older. RESULTS: The ARBALET study recruited 2217 patients, of whom 626 had ISH and were included in this post-hoc analysis (mean age 66.1 ± 7.8 years; 165 men [26.4%] and 461 women [73.6%]). Target SBP < 140 mmHg was achieved in 43%, 75% and 93% of patients at 2 weeks, 1 and 3 months, respectively. SBP decreased from baseline by 18.8 ± 10.5 mmHg, 27.2 ± 10.6 mmHg and 31.8 ± 9.9 mmHg at 2 weeks, 1 month and 3 months, respectively. In the groups of patients aged 55-59, 60-69, 70-79, and ≥ 80 years, SBP reductions at 3 months compared with baseline were - 30.3 ± 9.4, - 32.4 ± 9.7, - 32.5 ± 10.7, and - 28.9 ± 9.6 mmHg, respectively. CONCLUSION: This post-hoc analysis of the observational ARBALET study showed that indapamide/amlodipine SPC was associated with significant reductions in BP and high rates of target BP achievement in a broad age range of patients with ISH treated in routine clinical practice. STUDY REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN40812831.

[Focus ultrasound for cardiology practice. Russian consensus document].

This document is a consensus document of Russian Specialists in Heart Failure, Russian Society of Cardiology, Russian Association of Specialists in Ultrasound Diagnostics in Medicine and Russian Society for the Prevention of Noncommunicable Diseases. In the document a definition of focus ultrasound is stated and discussed when it can be used in cardiology practice in Russian Federation.

[Expert consensus regarding treatment of iron deficiency in stable and decompensated patients with heart failure].

In recent years there has been significant interest in treating iron deficiency (ID) in patients with heart failure (HF) due to its high prevalence and detrimental effects in this population. As stated in the 2020 Russain HF guidelines, Intravenous ferric carboxymaltose remains the only proven therapy for ID.This document was prompted by the results from the recent AFFIRM-AHF trial which demonstrates that treatment of ID after acute HF decompensation reduces the risk of future decompensations. Experts have concluded that in HF patients with acute decompensation, a left ventricular ejection fraction of < 50% and ID, Intravenous ferric carboxymaltose reduces future HF hospitalisations. Patients with stable HF may also benefit from treatment of ID to improve quality of life and alleviate symptoms.  It is, therefore, reasonable to screen for and treat ID in patients with HF.

[Infective Endocarditis with Unknown Etiology: Possibilities of Conquering and Role of Microbiologistics].

Current infectious endocarditis (IE) is characterized by changes in its etiological and epidemiological profiles associated with increased incidence of IE of undetermined etiology. This requires a search for ways to enhance the effectivity of diagnosis. Microbiologistics along with high-tech methods becomes decisively important for identifying the pathogen by studying cultures of blood and tissues from the affected heart valve. This determines timely diagnosis and treatment to be introduced to medical practice as a component of personalized medicine. The article focuses on the validity and features of microbiological (cultural), immunochemical, and molecular biological [MALDI-TOF MS (matrix-activated laser desorption/ionization with time-of-flight mass spectrometry), polymerase chain reaction, sequencing] studies.

[The use of diuretics in chronic heart failure. Position paper of the Russian Heart Failure Society].

The document focuses on key issues of diuretic therapy in CHF from the standpoint of current views on the pathogenesis of edema syndrome, its diagnosis, and characteristics of using diuretics in various clinical situations.

[Asymptomatic Hyperuricemia: Treatment Approaches According to the Risk of Cardiovascular and Renal Events].

Asymptomatic hyperuricemia (HU) is widespread in the population. Results of multiple studies have demonstrated independent associations between increased levels of uric acid and risk of arterial hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and chronic kidney disease. HU is considered as an independent predictor of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. Despite the extensive study of this issue, there is still no unified answer to questions regarding the necessity of urate-lowering therapy in asymptomatic HU, whereas results of studies on the effect of this therapy on outcomes of cardiovascular and kidney diseases are controversial. This review summarized the basic, currently available information on this issue.

[Semaglutide for the Management of type 2 Diabetes: Clinical Evidence, Cardioprotective Effects, and Guidelines].

Cardiovascular diseases remain a leading cause for unfavorable outcomes, including death, in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2). In the recent decade, novel drugs, including glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GPP-1-RA) and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors, have convincingly demonstrated their ability to reduce risk of cardiovascular complications in patients with DM2. This review discusses one of GPP-1-RA, semaglutide, with a special focus on the evidence-based data on its use, cardioprotective properties, and algorithms of administration consistent with current clinical recommendations.

[Asymptomatic Hyperuricemia and Risk Of Cardiovascular and Renal Diseases].

Asymptomatic hyperuricemia (HU) is common in the population and significantly contributes to the general cardiovascular risk. Despite extensive study of this condition there is still no conclusive answers to questions about detection of asymptomatic HU and its effect on the risk for development and progression of cardiovascular and kidney diseases. This review summarizes key information about these issues, which has been accumulated by the present time.

[Frequency of use and Indications for Beta-Blockers in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction].

Aim      To evaluate trends in beta-blocker prescribing and incidence of possible reasons for beta-blocker administration, including arterial hypertension (AH), atrial fibrillation (AF), ischemic heart disease (IHD), and myocardial infarction, in participants of clinical studies enrolling patients with chronic heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (CHF-PEF).Material and methods  A systematic literature search was performed in the PubMed and EMBASE databases. The study included RCSs of pharmacological therapies for patients with CHF-PEF conducted from 1993 through 2019. Studies of beta-blocker efficacy or those including a specific population (CHF-PEF+IHD or CHF-PEF+AH, etc.) were excluded from the analysis. Baseline characteristics of patients, incidence rate of beta-blocker prescribing, and prevalence of AH, AF, IHD, and MI were recorded. Trends in prevalence of concomitant diseases and the proportion of patients using beta-blockers by the year of enrollment to the study were analyzed with the Mann-Kendall test.Results 14 RCSs of 718 selected publications completely met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Beta-blocker prescribing significantly increased between 1993 and 2019 (tau=0.51; p=0.014) and reached 80 % in recent studies. Furthermore, prevalence of IHD, MI, AH, and AF did not significantly change among the RCS participants (p>0.05 for all). However, while for AH and AF, a tendency toward an increasing prevalence (tau=0.4; p=0.055 and tau=0.043; p=0.063, respectively) could be considered and became statistically significant for AF when the ALDO-DHF study was excluded from the analysis (tau=0.5; p=0.042), the MI prevalence tended to decrease (tau= -0.73; p=0.06).Conclusion      Beta-blocker prescribing to patients upon inclusion into RCSs for CHF-PEF has significantly increased for the recent 20 years while the incidence of formal reasons for beta-blocker administration (AF, AH, MI, IHD) did not significantly change.

[Risk of Coronary Events in Atrial Fibrillation].

It has been established that cardiovascular events due to coronary heart disease are highly prevalent in the population of patients with atrial fibrillation. In this review, pathophysiologic mechanisms explaining this association are detailed along with supporting epidemiological evidence. Various methods for the prediction and prevention of coronary events in atrial fibrillation are iscussed, including modification of shared risk factors, antithrombotic therapy and selection of the optimal direct oral anticoagulant in terms of favourable influence on ischemic cardiac outcomes.

[Cognitive Dysfunction at the Background of Atrial Fibrillation: Clinical-Pathological Aspects, Diagnostics and Prevention, Issues of the Use of the Application of Anticoagulant Therapy].

Atrial fibrillation (AF) and cognitive dysfunction - common states with similar risk factors. Recently significant scientific epidemiological data has been received in favor of independence of effect of AF on possibility of development of cognitive dysfunction. In this review we present problems of prevalence, pathogenesis, and diagnostics of various variants of cognitive disorders at the background of AF, as well as methods of their prevention and tactics of anticoagulant therapy in the presence of cognitive disturbances.

[Office and 44-hour ambulatory blood pressure and central haemodynamic parameters in the patients with end-stage renal diseases undergoing haemodialysis].

AIM: To assess the incidence of blood pressure (BP) control and various phenotypes of BP by comparing the results of office and 44-hour ambulatory brachial and central BP measurement in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on program hemodialysis (HD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 68 patients ESRD receiving renal replacement therapy we evaluated office peridialysis BP and performed 44-hour ambu latory monitoring (ABPM) of brachial and central BP during peridialysis period using a validated oscillometric device BPLabVasotens (OOO "Petr Telegin"). Results were considered statistically significant with p<0.05. RESULTS: The frequency of control of peripheral office BP before the HD session was 25%, after - 23.5%; control of central BP - 48.6% and 49%, respectively. According to office measurement the frequency of systolic-diastolic hypertension was 44.1%, isolated systolic hypertension - 25%, isolated diastolic hypertension - 5.9%. The values of peripheral and central office systolic BP (SBP) before and after HD were not consistent with the corresponding mean and daily SBP levels for 44 hours and for the first and second days of the interdialysis period. The frequency of true uncontrolled arterial hypertension (AH) according to peripheral ABPM was 66.5%, masked uncontrolled AH - 9%. Circadian rhythm abnormalities for 44-h peripheral BP were detected in 77%, for central - in 76%. In 97% of patients agreement between phenotypes of the daily profile of peripheral and central BP was observed. 73% of patients had a significant increase in peripheral and central SBP and pulse pressure (PP) and an increase in the proportion of non-dippers from the 1st to the 2nd day. CONCLUSION: Patients with ESRD on HD were characterized by poor control of BP control and predominance of unfavourable peripheral and central ambulatory BP phenotypes. A single measurement of clinical peripheral and central BP in the peridialysis period was not sufficient to assess the control of hypertension in this population. The 24-h BP profiles in the 1st and 2nd days of interdialysis period had significant differences.

[Pulmonary congestion by lung ultrasound in decompensated heart failure: associations, in-hospital changes, prognostic value].

BACKGROUND: Recently lung ultrasound (LUS) based on B-lines measurement has been proposed as an effective tool for assessment of pulmonary congestion (PC) in patients with decompensated heart failure (DHF). OBJECTIVE: to assess the incidence, in-hospital changes and prognostic significance of PC assessed by LUS in DHF patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Routine clinical assessment and eight-zone LUS were performed in 162 patients with DHF (men 66%, mean age 68±12 years, hypertension 97%, history of myocardial infarction 44%, atrial fibrillation 60%, ejection fraction [EF] 40±14%, EF<40% 46%, baseline NT-proBNP 4 246 [1741; 6 837] pg/ml). Sum of B-lines ≤5 was considered as normal, 6-15, 16-30 and >30 - as mild, moderate and severe PC, respectively. RESULTS: Using LUS on admission PC was diagnosed in all patients (moderate and severe in 31.5 and 67.3%, respectively). At discharge normal LUS profile was observed in 48.2% of patients. In 33.3, 14.8 and 3.7% of patients PC was mild, moderate, and severe, respectively. According to multivariable Cox regression analysis including age, sex, EF, NYHA functional class, and jugular venous distension sum of B-lines >5 at discharge was associated with higher probability of 12-month all-cause death (hazard ratio [HR] 2.86, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.15-7.13, p=0.024), sum of B-lines >15 - with higher probability of HF readmission (HR 2.83, 95%CI 1.41-5.67, p=0.003). CONCLUSION: During hospital stay the incidence of PC as assessed by LUS decreased from 100 to 52% of patients. Sum of B-lines >5 at discharge was independently associated with higher risk of 12-month all-cause death, >15 - with higher risk of 12-month HF readmission.