Prognostic Impact of the UMIPIC Program in the Follow Up in Patients with Heart Failure and Cardiorenal Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Individuals suffering from heart failure (HF) and cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) represent a special group of patients considering their age, multiple health issues, and treatment challenges. These factors make them more susceptible to frequent hospital stays and a higher mortality rate. UMIPIC is a multidisciplinary care model program for patients with heart failure follow up provided by internists and nurses who are experts in this entity. Our study delved into the effectiveness of this specialized care program (UMIPIC) in mitigating these risks for HF and CRS patients. METHODS: We analyzed the medical records of 3255 patients diagnosed with HF and CRS types 2 and 4, sourced from the RICA registry. These patients were divided into two distinct groups: those enrolled in the UMIPIC program (1205 patients) and those under standard care (2050 patients). Using propensity score matching, we ensured that both groups were comparable. The study focused on tracking hospital admissions and mortality rates for one year after an HF-related hospital stay. RESULTS: Patients in the UMIPIC group experienced fewer hospital readmissions due to HF compared to their counterparts (20% vs. 32%; Hazard Ratio [HR] = 0.48; 95% Confidence Interval [95% CI]: 0.40-0.57; p < 0.001). They also showed a lower mortality rate (24% vs. 36%; HR = 0.64; 95% CI: 0.54-0.75; p < 0.001). Furthermore, the UMIPIC group had fewer total hospital admissions (36% vs. 47%; HR = 0.58; 95% CI: 0.51-0.66; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The UMIPIC program, centered on holistic and ongoing care, effectively reduces both hospital admissions and mortality rates for HF and CRS patients after a one-year follow-up period.

Projected clinical benefits of dapagliflozin in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Aims: To address the projected clinical benefits of dapagliflozin among patients with heart failure (HF) with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF) and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Methods: A multicenter, prospective, cohort study of patients ≥50 years admitted with HF to Spanish internal medicine departments. The projected clinical benefits of dapagliflozin were calculated from the DELIVER trial. Results: A total of 4049 patients were included; 3271 (80.8%) were eligible for dapagliflozin treatment, according to DELIVER criteria. Within 1 year after discharge, 22.2% were rehospitalized for HF and 21.6% died. Implementation of dapagliflozin would translate into an absolute risk reduction of 1.3% for mortality and 5.1% for HF readmission. Conclusion: HF patients with preserved or mildly reduced ejection fraction have a high risk of events. The use of dapagliflozin could substantially reduce the HF burden.

Heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction is frequent in clinical practice, particularly in the elderly. In HF with preserved ejection fraction, the heart still pumps a similar proportion of blood, but the heart muscle has become thicker. This means there is less space inside the heart to fill with blood, so too little is pumped out each time. Until very recently, no drugs had been shown to provide significant benefits on the outcome of the condition or the chance of recovery for these patients. Fortunately, recent clinical trials have demonstrated that treatment with drugs called SGLT2 inhibitors (e.g., dapagliflozin) could reduce the chance of being admitted to hospital or dying from HF. We investigated the benefits for patients who took dapagliflozin after being admitted to hospital and had HF with mildly reduced or preserved ejection fraction. We saw substantial benefits in this population.

Has beta-blocker use increased in patients with heart failure in internal medicine settings? Prognostic implications: RICA registry.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Underuse of beta-blockers has been reported in elderly patients with heart failure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the current prescription of beta-blockers in the internal medicine setting, and its association with morbidity and mortality in heart failure patients. METHODS: The information analyzed was obtained from a prospective cohort of patients hospitalized for heart failure (RICA registry] database, patients included from March 2008 to September 2011) with at least one year of follow-up. We investigated the percentage of patients prescribed beta-blockers at hospital discharge, and at 3 and 12 months, and the relationship of beta-blocker use with mortality and readmissions for heart failure. Patients with significant valve disease were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 515 patients were analyzed (53.5% women), with a mean age of 77.1 (8.7) years. Beta-blockers were prescribed in 62.1% of patients at discharge. A similar percentage was found at 3 months (65.6%) and 12 months (67.9%) after discharge. All-cause mortality and the composite of all-cause mortality and readmission for heart failure were significantly lower in patients treated with beta-blockers (hazard ratio=0.59, 95% confidence interval, 0.41-0.84 vs hazard ratio=0.64, 95% confidence interval, 0.49-0.83). This decrease in mortality was maintained after adjusting by age, sex, ejection fraction, functional class, comorbidities, and concomitant treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study indicate that beta-blocker use is increasing in heart failure patients (mainly elderly) treated in the internal medicine setting, and suggest that the use of these drugs is associated with a reduction in clinical events.

¿Se ha incrementado el uso de bloqueadores beta en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca en medicina interna? Implicaciones pronósticas: registro RICA / Has Beta-blocker Use Increased in Patients With Heart Failure in Internal Medicine Settings? Prognostic Implications: RICA Registry

Introducción y objetivos: Se ha descrito una infrautilización de bloqueadores beta en pacientes de edad avanzada con insuficiencia cardiaca. El objetivo es determinar el grado de prescripción actual de bloqueadores beta en servicios de medicina interna y su asociación con la morbimortalidad. Métodos: La información analizada se obtuvo de los datos de una cohorte prospectiva de pacientes hospitalizados por insuficiencia cardiaca (registro RICA, incluidos entre marzo de 2008 y septiembre de 2011) con al menos 1 año de seguimiento. Se evaluaron los porcentajes de prescripción de bloqueadores beta al alta hospitalaria, a los 3 meses y al año, y su asociación con la mortalidad y los reingresos hospitalarios. Se excluyó a los pacientes con valvulopatía significativa. Resultados: Se analizó a 515 pacientes (el 53,5% mujeres; media de edad, 77,1 ± 8,7 años). La prescripción de bloqueadores beta al alta hospitalaria fue del 62,1%. Durante el seguimiento, este porcentaje de prescripción fue similar tanto a los 3 meses (65,6%) como al año (67,9%). La mortalidad total y la variable combinada de mortalidad total y reingresos por insuficiencia cardiaca fue significativamente inferior entre los pacientes tratados que en los no tratados (hazard ratio = 0,59; intervalo de confianza del 95%, 0,41-0,84 frente a hazard ratio = 0,64; intervalo de confianza del 95%, 0,49-0,83). La disminución de la mortalidad se mantuvo tras ajustar por edad, sexo, fracción de eyección, clase funcional, comorbilidades y tratamiento concomitante. Conclusiones: Los datos del estudio indican incremento en la utilización de bloqueadores beta en pacientes mayoritariamente ancianos con insuficiencia cardiaca atendidos en servicios de medicina interna, y su implementación probablemente se asocia a una reducción de los eventos clínicos (AU)

Introduction and objectives: Underuse of beta-blockers has been reported in elderly patients with heart failure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the current prescription of beta-blockers in the internal medicine setting, and its association with morbidity and mortality in heart failure patients. Methods: The information analyzed was obtained from a prospective cohort of patients hospitalized for heart failure (RICA registry] database, patients included from March 2008 to September 2011) with at least one year of follow-up. We investigated the percentage of patients prescribed beta-blockers at hospital discharge, and at 3 and 12 months, and the relationship of beta-blocker use with mortality and readmissions for heart failure. Patients with significant valve disease were excluded. Results: A total of 515 patients were analyzed (53.5% women), with a mean age of 77.1 (8.7) years. Beta-blockers were prescribed in 62.1% of patients at discharge. A similar percentage was found at 3 months (65.6%) and 12 months (67.9%) after discharge. All-cause mortality and the composite of all-cause mortality and readmission for heart failure were significantly lower in patients treated with beta-blockers (hazard ratio=0.59, 95% confidence interval, 0.41-0.84 vs hazard ratio=0.64, 95% confidence interval, 0.49-0.83). This decrease in mortality was maintained after adjusting by age, sex, ejection fraction, functional class, comorbidities, and concomitant treatment. Conclusions: The findings of this study indicate that beta-blocker use is increasing in heart failure patients (mainly elderly) treated in the internal medicine setting, and suggest that the use of these drugs is associated with a reduction in clinical events (AU)