Thirteen-year trends in hospitalization and outcomes of patients with heart failure in Spain.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure is one of the most pressing current public health concerns. However, in Spain there is a lack of population data. We aimed to examine thirteen-year nationwide trends in heart failure hospitalization, in-hospital mortality and 30-day readmission rates in Spain. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective observational study of patients discharged with the principal diagnosis of heart failure from The National Health System' acute hospitals during 2003-2015. The source of the data was the Minimum Basic Data Set. Temporal trends were modelled using Poisson regression analysis. The risk-standardized in-hospital mortality ratio was calculated using a multilevel risk adjustment logistic regression model. RESULTS: A total of 1 254 830 episodes of heart failure were selected. Throughout 2003-2015, the number of hospital discharges with principal diagnosis of heart failure increased by 61%. Discharge rates weighted by age and sex increased during the period [incidence rate ratio (IRR): 1.03; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.03-1.03; P < .001)], although this increase was motivated by the increase in older age groups (≥75 years old). The crude mortality rate diminished (IRR: 0.99; 95% CI: 0.98-1, P < .001), but 30-day readmission rate increased (IRR: 1.05; 95% CI: 1.04-1.06; P < .001). The risk-standardized in-hospital mortality ratio did not change throughout the study period (IRR: 0.997; 95% CI: 0.992-1; P = .32). CONCLUSIONS: From 2003 to 2015, heart failure admission rates increased significantly in Spain as a consequence of the sustained increase of hospitalization in the population ≥75 years. 30-day readmission rates increased, but the risk-standardized in-hospital mortality ratio did not significantly change for the same period.

Nutritional Intervention in Malnourished Hospitalized Patients with Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Hospitalized patients with heart failure who are malnourished present a worse prognosis than those with an adequate nutritional status. We undertook this study to assess whether a nutritional intervention in malnourished hospitalized patients with heart failure benefits morbidity and mortality. METHODS: A multicenter, randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted. A total of 120 malnourished hospitalized patients due to acute heart failure were randomised to conventional heart failure treatment or conventional heart failure treatment combined with an individualized nutritional intervention. The primary endpoint of this study was a composite of all-cause death or readmission for worsening of HF, with a maximum follow-up of 12 months. Analysis was by intention to treat. RESULTS: Recruitment was stopped early according to the study protocol after completing the follow-up of the first 120 patients enrolled (59 in the intervention group and 61 in the control group). Both groups were homogeneous in baseline characteristics. At 12 months, the primary outcome occurred in 27.1% of patients in the intervention group and in 60.7% of patients in the control group (hazard ratio 0.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.19-0.62, p = 0.0004). In total, 20.3% of patients died in the intervention group and 47.5% in the control group (hazard ratio 0.37, 95% CI, 0.19-0.72, p = 0.003). Readmission due to heart failure was also lower in the intervention group (10.2 vs. 36.1%, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Nutritional intervention in malnourished hospitalized patients with heart failure reduces the risk of death from any cause and the risk of readmission for worsening of heart failure (ClinicalTrial.govNCT01472237).

Desnutrición e insuficiencia cardiaca. Apostillas / Malnutrition and Heart Failure: comments

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Influencia de la desnutrición en la mortalidad a largo plazo de pacientes hospitalizados por insuficiencia cardiaca / Impact of malnutrition on long-term mortality in hospitalized patients with heart failure

Introducción y objetivos. Actualmente se desconoce la prevalencia de desnutrición entre los pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca y el papel que este estado pudiera tener en su pronóstico. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar la prevalencia y riesgo de desnutrición y su posible influencia en la mortalidad a largo plazo de los pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca. Métodos. Se analizó prospectivamente a 208 pacientes dados de alta consecutivamente desde nuestro centro entre enero de 2007 y marzo de 2008 tras un ingreso por insuficiencia cardiaca. Antes del alta, se realizó una completa valoración nutricional y se realizó el diagnóstico de desnutrición y riesgo de desnutrición mediante la encuesta Mini Nutritional Assessment. Su posible asociación independiente con la mortalidad se valoró mediante un análisis multivariable de Cox. Resultados. La media de edad fue 73±10 años, el 46% eran mujeres y la etiología más frecuente de la insuficiencia cardiaca fue la isquémica (41%). El 13% de los pacientes fueron clasificados como desnutridos; el 59,5%, en riesgo de desnutrición y el 27,5%, bien nutridos. A los 25 meses (mediana de seguimiento), la mortalidad en los tres grupos fue del 76, el 35,9 y el 18,9% respectivamente (log-rank test, p<0,001). En el análisis multivariable de Cox, el estado de desnutrición resultó ser un predictor independiente de mortalidad (hazard ratio=3,75; intervalo de confianza del 95%, 1,75-8,02; p=0,001). Conclusiones. La desnutrición y el de riesgo de desnutrición alcanzan una prevalencia elevada en pacientes hospitalizados por insuficiencia cardiaca. Además, hemos encontrado que el estado de desnutrición definido mediante el Mini Nutritional Assessment es un predictor independiente de mortalidad en estos pacientes (AU)

Introduction and objectives. The prevalence of malnutrition among patients with heart failure and the role it might play in prognosis is not currently known. The aim of this study was to analyse the prevalence and risk of malnutrition as well as its possible influence on long-term mortality in patients with heart failure. Methods. A prospective analysis was conducted on 208 patients discharged consecutively from our centre between January 2007 and March 2008 after being hospitalised with heart failure. Before discharge, a complete nutritional assessment was performed and diagnosis of malnutrition and risk of malnutrition was done with the Mini Nutritional Assessment. Its possible independent association with mortality was assessed by a Cox multivariate analysis. Results. The mean age of the patients was 73±10 years, with 46% women; the most common aetiology of heart failure was ischaemia (41%). In addition, 13% were classified as malnourished, 59.5% at risk of malnutrition and 27.5% were well-nourished. At a median follow-up of 25 months, mortality in the three groups was 76%, 35.9% and 18.9%, respectively (log-rank, P<.001). In the Cox multivariate analysis, the malnutrition state was an independent predictor of mortality (hazard ratio 3.75, 95% confidence interval, 1.75-8.02, P=.001). Conclusions. Malnutrition and the risk of malnutrition are highly prevalent in patients hospitalised for heart failure. Furthermore, we found that the state of malnutrition as defined by the Mini Nutritional Assessment survey is an independent predictor of mortality in these patients (AU)

[Impact of malnutrition on long-term mortality in hospitalized patients with heart failure]. / Influencia de la desnutrición en la mortalidad a largo plazo de pacientes hospitalizados por insuficiencia cardiaca.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of malnutrition among patients with heart failure and the role it might play in prognosis is not currently known. The aim of this study was to analyse the prevalence and risk of malnutrition as well as its possible influence on long-term mortality in patients with heart failure. METHODS: A prospective analysis was conducted on 208 patients discharged consecutively from our centre between January 2007 and March 2008 after being hospitalised with heart failure. Before discharge, a complete nutritional assessment was performed and diagnosis of malnutrition and risk of malnutrition was done with the Mini Nutritional Assessment. Its possible independent association with mortality was assessed by a Cox multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 73 ± 10 years, with 46% women; the most common aetiology of heart failure was ischaemia (41%). In addition, 13% were classified as malnourished, 59.5% at risk of malnutrition and 27.5% were well-nourished. At a median follow-up of 25 months, mortality in the three groups was 76%, 35.9% and 18.9%, respectively (log-rank, P<.001). In the Cox multivariate analysis, the malnutrition state was an independent predictor of mortality (hazard ratio 3.75, 95% confidence interval, 1.75-8.02, P=.001). CONCLUSIONS: Malnutrition and the risk of malnutrition are highly prevalent in patients hospitalised for heart failure. Furthermore, we found that the state of malnutrition as defined by the Mini Nutritional Assessment survey is an independent predictor of mortality in these patients.

Concordancia entre observadores en el diagnóstico electrocardiográfico de la hipertrofia ventricular izquierda en hipertensos de Andalucía. Estudio PREHVIA / Interobserver agreement on electrocardiographic diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertensive patients in Andalusia. PREHVIA study

Objetivo: Estimar la concordancia en el diagnóstico de la hipertrofia ventricular izquierda electrocardiográfica (HVI-ECG) en sujetos hipertensos entre médicos de atención primaria (AP) y un cardiólogo experto.Diseño: Estudio transversal y multicéntrico.EmplazamientoCentros de AP de Andalucía.Participantes: 120 médicos de AP que mediante muestreo aleatorio seleccionaron a pacientes de 35 o más años con hipertensión arterial de al menos 6 meses de evolución.Mediciones principales: Se recogieron datos demográficos, de factores de riesgo y de enfermedades cardiovasculares. La HVI-ECG se evaluó aplicando los criterios de voltaje de Cornell, producto de Cornell y de Sokolow-Lyon. Los investigadores de AP realizaron una primera lectura y un cardiólogo, una segunda ciega.Resultados: Se estudió a 570 pacientes (media±desviación estándar de edad, 65±11 años; mujeres, 54,5%); la prevalencia de HVI-ECG fue del 13,7% (intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95%, 10,8-16,6; el 12,6% por Cornell y el 1,6% por Sokolow-Lyon). La concordancia en el diagnóstico de HVI-ECG entre el médico de AP y el cardiólogo fue 0,378 (IC del 95%, 0,272-0,486; desacuerdos en el 15,5% de los casos). Los investigadores de AP subestimaron levemente la prevalencia de HVI-ECG por Cornell y la sobreestimaron levemente por el criterio de Sokolow-Lyon; también fue baja la concordancia para cada uno de ellos (Cornell: κ=0,367; IC del 95%, 0,252-0,482; Sokolow-Lyon: κ=0,274; IC del 95%, 0,093-0,454).Conclusiones: La concordancia entre el diagnóstico de los médicos de AP y el cardiólogo es baja. Los resultados de este estudio indican la necesidad de mejorar la medición electrocardiográfica entre los médicos de AP; la utilización de sistemas informatizados podría ser una buena opción(AU)

Objective: To assess the agreement between Primary Care (PC) doctors and a cardiology specialist in diagnosing left ventricular hypertrophy in the electrocardiograph (LVH-ECG) in hypertensive patients.Design: Cross-sectional, multicentre study.Setting: Andalusian Primary Care Centres.Participants: A total of 120 PC doctors who using a random sample selected patients of 35 years or more with AHT of at least 6 months of progression.Primary variables: Demographic data, risk factors and cardiovascular diseases were recorded. The LVH-ECG was evaluated by applying Cornell voltage criteria, Cornell and Sokolow-Lyon product. The PC researchers read the ECG first and the cardiologist made a second reading blind.Results: A total of 570 patients (mean±SD of age, 65±11 years; 54.5% females); the LVH-ECG prevalence was 13.7% (95% CI, 10.8-16.6; 12.6% by Cornell and 1.6% by Sokolow-Lyon). The agreement in the diagnosis between the PC doctors and the cardiologist was 0.378 (95% CI, 0.272-0.486; disagreements in 15.5% of cases). The PC doctors slightly underestimated the LVH-ECG prevalence by Cornell and slightly overestimated it by the Sokolow-Lyon criteria. The agreement was also low for all of them (κ=0.367; 95% CI, 0.252-0.482, for Cornell, and κ=0.274; 95% CI: 0.093-0.454 for Sokolow-Lyon).Conclusions: The agreement between the diagnosis by the PC doctors and the cardiologist was low. The implications of this study suggest the need to improve the reading of ECG among PC doctors. The use of computerised systems could be a good option(AU)

[Interobserver agreement on electrocardiographic diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertensive patients in Andalusia. PREHVIA study]. / Concordancia entre observadores en el diagnóstico electrocardiográfico de la hipertrofia ventricular izquierda en hipertensos de Andalucía. Estudio PREHVIA.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the agreement between Primary Care (PC) doctors and a cardiology specialist in diagnosing left ventricular hypertrophy in the electrocardiograph (LVH-ECG) in hypertensive patients. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, multicentre study. SETTING: Andalusian Primary Care Centres. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 120 PC doctors who using a random sample selected patients of 35 years or more with AHT of at least 6 months of progression. PRIMARY VARIABLES: Demographic data, risk factors and cardiovascular diseases were recorded. The LVH-ECG was evaluated by applying Cornell voltage criteria, Cornell and Sokolow-Lyon product. The PC researchers read the ECG first and the cardiologist made a second reading blind. RESULTS: A total of 570 patients (mean +/- SD of age, 65 +/- 11 years; 54.5% females); the LVH-ECG prevalence was 13.7% (95% CI, 10.8-16.6; 12.6% by Cornell and 1.6% by Sokolow-Lyon). The agreement in the diagnosis between the PC doctors and the cardiologist was 0.378 (95% CI, 0.272-0.486; disagreements in 15.5% of cases). The PC doctors slightly underestimated the LVH-ECG prevalence by Cornell and slightly overestimated it by the Sokolow-Lyon criteria. The agreement was also low for all of them (kappa = 0.367; 95% CI, 0.252-0.482, for Cornell, and kappa = 0.274; 95% CI: 0.093-0.454 for Sokolow-Lyon). CONCLUSIONS: The agreement between the diagnosis by the PC doctors and the cardiologist was low. The implications of this study suggest the need to improve the reading of ECG among PC doctors. The use of computerised systems could be a good option.