Incidence, Clinical Characteristics, Risk Factors, and Outcomes of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Patients With COVID-19: Results of the UMC-19-S12.

OBJECTIVE: The authors investigated the incidence, risk factors, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGB) in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), who were attending the emergency department (ED), before hospitalization. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all COVID-19 patients diagnosed with UGB in 62 Spanish EDs (20% of Spanish EDs, case group) during the first 2 months of the COVID-19 outbreak. We formed 2 control groups: COVID-19 patients without UGB (control group A) and non-COVID-19 patients with UGB (control group B). Fifty-three independent variables and 4 outcomes were compared between cases and controls. RESULTS: We identified 83 UGB in 74,814 patients with COVID-19 who were attending EDs (1.11%, 95% CI=0.88-1.38). This incidence was lower compared with non-COVID-19 patients [2474/1,388,879, 1.78%, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.71-1.85; odds ratio (OR)=0.62; 95% CI=0.50-0.77]. Clinical characteristics associated with a higher risk of COVID-19 patients presenting with UGB were abdominal pain, vomiting, hematemesis, dyspnea, expectoration, melena, fever, cough, chest pain, and dysgeusia. Compared with non-COVID-19 patients with UGB, COVID-19 patients with UGB more frequently had fever, cough, expectoration, dyspnea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, interstitial lung infiltrates, and ground-glass lung opacities. They underwent fewer endoscopies in the ED (although diagnoses did not differ between cases and control group B) and less endoscopic treatment. After adjustment for age and sex, cases showed a higher in-hospital all-cause mortality than control group B (OR=2.05, 95% CI=1.09-3.86) but not control group A (OR=1.14, 95% CI=0.59-2.19) patients. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of UGB in COVID-19 patients attending EDs was lower compared with non-COVID-19 patients. Digestive symptoms predominated over respiratory symptoms, and COVID-19 patients with UGB underwent fewer gastroscopies and endoscopic treatments than the general population with UGB. In-hospital mortality in COVID-19 patients with UGB was increased compared with non-COVID patients with UGB, but not compared with the remaining COVID-19 patients.

A case-control analysis of stroke in COVID-19 patients: Results of unusual manifestations of COVID-19-study 11.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the incidence, predictor variables, clinical characteristics, and stroke outcomes in patients with COVID-19 seen in emergency departments (EDs) before hospitalization. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all COVID-19 patients diagnosed with stroke during the COVID-19 outbreak in 62 Spanish EDs. We formed two control groups: COVID-19 patients without stroke (control A) and non-COVID-19 patients with stroke (control B). We compared disease characteristics and four outcomes between cases and controls. RESULTS: We identified 147 strokes in 74,814 patients with COVID-19 seen in EDs (1.96‰, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.66‰ to 2.31‰), being lower than in non-COVID-19 patients (6,541/1,388,879, 4.71‰, 95% CI = 4.60‰ to 4.83‰; odds ratio [OR] = 0.42, 95% CI = 0.35 to 0.49). The estimated that standardized incidences of stroke per 100,000 individuals per year were 124 and 133 for COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 individuals, respectively (OR = 0.93 for COVID patients, 95% CI = 0.87 to 0.99). Baseline characteristics associated with a higher risk of stroke in COVID-19 patients were hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and previous cerebrovascular and coronary diseases. Clinically, these patients more frequently presented with confusion, decreased consciousness, and syncope and higher D-dimer concentrations and leukocyte count at ED arrival. After adjustment for age and sex, the case group had higher hospitalization and intensive care unit (ICU) admission rates (but not mortality) than COVID-19 controls without stroke (OR = 3.41, 95% CI = 1.27 to 9.16; and OR = 3.79, 95% CI = 1.69 to 8.50, respectively) and longer hospitalization and greater in-hospital mortality than stroke controls without COVID-19 (OR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.24 to 1.94; and OR = 1.77, 95% CI = 1.37 to 2.30, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of stroke in COVID-19 patients presenting to EDs was lower than that in the non-COVID-19 reference sample. COVID-19 patients with stroke had greater need for hospitalization and ICU admission than those without stroke and longer hospitalization and greater in-hospital mortality than non-COVID-19 patients with stroke.

Influence of the length of hospitalisation in post-discharge outcomes in patients with acute heart failure: Results of the LOHRCA study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between length of hospitalisation (LOH) and post-discharge outcomes in acute heart failure (AHF) patients and to ascertain whether there are different patterns according to department of initial hospitalisation. METHODS: Consecutive AHF patients hospitalised in 41 Spanish centres were grouped based on the LOH (<6/6-10/11-15/>15 days). Outcomes were defined as 90-day post-discharge all-cause mortality, AHF readmissions, and the combination of both. Hazard ratios (HRs), adjusted by chronic conditions and severity of decompensation, were calculated for groups with LOH >6 days vs. LOH <6 days (reference), and stratified by hospitalisation in cardiology, internal medicine, geriatrics, or short-stay units. RESULTS: We included 8563 patients (mean age: 80 (SD = 10) years, 55.5% women), with a median LOH of 7 days (IQR 4-11): 2934 (34.3%) had a LOH <6 days, 3184 (37.2%) 6-10 days, 1287 (15.0%) 11-15 days, and 1158 (13.5%) >15 days. The 90-day post-discharge mortality was 11.4%, readmission 32.2%, and combined endpoint 37.4%. Mortality was increased by 36.5% (95%CI = 13.0-64.9) when LOH was 11-15 days, and by 72.0% (95%CI = 42.6-107.5) when >15 days. Conversely, no differences were found in readmission risk, and the combined endpoint only increased 21.6% (95%CI = 8.4-36.4) for LOH >15 days. Stratified analysis by hospitalisation departments rendered similar post-discharge outcomes, with all exhibiting increased mortality for LOH >15 days and no significant increments in readmission risk. CONCLUSIONS: Short hospitalisations are not associated with worse outcomes. While post-discharge readmissions are not affected by LOH, mortality risk increases as the LOH lengthens. These findings were similar across hospitalisation departments.

The effect of a short-stay unit on hospital admission and length of stay in acute heart failure: REDUCE-AHF study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the presence of a short-stay unit(SSU) in a hospital influences the percentage of admissions, length of hospital stay(LOS) and outcomes in emergency department(ED) patients with acute heart failure(AHF). METHOD: Retrospective analysis of AHF patients presenting to one of 34 Spanish ED included in EAHFE registry. Baseline and ED data of patients were collected. Patients were classified into two groups in function of being attended at hospitals with or without a SSU. Main outcome variables were the percentage of admissions from ED, and LOS for admitted patients. Secondary variables were all-cause death and ED revisits for worsening heart failure within 30days following discharge. RESULTS: Of 9078 patients presenting to the ED (SSU 5191; no SSU 3887), 6796 (74.8%) were admitted. Compared to hospitals without a SSU, the admission rate in hospitals with a SSU was 8.9% higher (95%CI 6.5%-11.4%), but 30-day ED revisit and mortality rates were lower among patients discharged directly from the ED (-10.3%, 95%CI -16,9% to -3.7%; and -10.0%, 95%CI -16.6 to -3.4%, respectively). For admitted patients, the overall LOS was 9.3±9.5days, being 2.2days shorter (95%CI -2.7 to -1.7) in hospitals with a SSU, with no significant differences in in-hospital, 30-day mortality or 30-day ED revisit rates. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that SSU may improve the safety of emergency care of patients with AHF, but at the cost of a higher rate of hospital admissions, and it may also reduce the LOS for admitted patients without affecting post discharge safety.

Factores asociados a estancias cortas en los pacientes ingresados por insuficiencia cardiaca aguda / Factors associated with short stays for patients admitted with acute heart failure

OBJETIVO: Identificar factores asociados a un tiempo de estancia hospitalaria (TDEH) corto en pacientes ingresados por insuficiencia cardiaca aguda (ICA) en hospitales con unidad de corta estancia (UCE). MÉTODO: Estudio de cohorte multipropósito y multicéntrico no intervencionista, con seguimiento prospectivo de pacientes con ICA ingresados en 10 hospitales españoles con UCE. Se recogieron variables demográficas, antecedentes personales, situación basal cardiorrespiratoria y funcional, de urgencias, del ingreso y de seguimiento a 30 días. La variable resultado fue un TDEH corto (_ 4 días). Se realizaron curvas de rendimiento diagnóstico (ROC) de modelos simples y mixtos predictivos de TDEH corto y se calculó el área bajo la curva (ABC) de la característica operativa del receptor (COR). RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 1.359 pacientes con una edad 78,7 (DE: 9,9) años, el 53,9% mujeres, 568 (41,8%) tuvieron un TDE de 4 o menos días. Ingresaron 590 pacientes (43,4%) en UCE y 769 (56,6%) en salas de hospitalización convencional. En el modelo de regresión mixto ajustado al centro, la crisis hipertensiva (OR 1,79, IC 95%: 1,17-2,73; p = 0,007) y el ingresar en UCE (OR 16,6, IC95%: 10,0-33,3; p < 0,001) se asociaron a TDEH corto, y la ICA hipotensiva (OR 0,49, IC 95%: 0,26-0,91; p = 0,025), la hipoxemia, (OR 0,68, IC 95%: 0,53-0,88; p = 0,004) e ingresar en miércoles, jueves o viernes (OR 0,62, IC 95%: 0,49-0,77; p < 0,001) a TDEH largo. El ABC COR del modelo mixto ajustada al centro fue 0,827 (IC 95%: 0,80-0,85; p < 0,001). La mortalidad a 30 días y el reingreso a 30 días no difirieron entre ambos grupos (0,5% frente a 0,5%, p = 0,959; y 22,9% frente a 27,7%, p = 0,059, respectivamente). CONCLUSIONES: En pacientes con ICA existen factores clínicos y organizativos en cada centro que se relacionan de forma independiente con un TDEH corto, entre los que destaca el tener una UCE

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors associated with short hospital stays for patients admitted with acute heart failure (AHF) admitted to hospitals with short-stay units (SSU). METHODS: Multicenter nonintervention study in a multipurpose cohort of patients with AHF to 10 Spanish hospitals with short-stay units; patients were followed prospectively. We recorded demographic data, medical histories, baseline cardiorespiratory and function variables on arrival in the emergency department, on admission, and at 30 days. The outcome variable was a short hospital stay (_ 4 days). We built receiver operating characteristic curves of simple and mixed predictive models for short stays and calculated the area under the curves. RESULTS: A total of 1359 patients with a mean (SD) age of 78.7 (9.9) years (53.9% women) were included; 568 (41.8%) had short stays. Five hundred ninety patients (43.4%) were admitted to SSU and 769 (56.6%) were admitted to conventional wards. The variables associated with a short-stay according to the mixed regression model were hypertensive crisis (odds ratio [OR], 1.79; 95% CI, 1.17-2.73; P=.007) and admission to a SSU (OR, 16.6; 95% CI, 10.0-33.3; P<.001). Hypotensive AHF (OR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.26-0.91; P=.025), hypoxemia (OR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.53-0.88; P=.004); and admission on a Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday (OR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.49-0.77; P<.001) were associated with a long stay. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.827 (95% CI, 0.80-0.85; P<.001). Thirty-day mortality and readmission rates did not differ between patients with short vs long stays (mortality, 0.5% in both cases, P=.959; and readmission, 22.9% vs 27.7%, respectively; P=.059). CONCLUSION: Both clinical and administrative factors are independently related to whether patients with AHF have short stays in the hospitals studied, and among therapy, it is remarkable the existence of a SSU

Tiempo de estancia prolongado en los pacientes ingresados por insuficiencia cardiaca aguda / Length of stay in patients admitted for acute heart failure

Objetivo: Identificar los factores asociados al tiempo de estancia hospitalaria prolongado en pacientes ingresados/as por insuficiencia cardiaca aguda. Método: Estudio observacional de cohorte multipropósito que incluyó pacientes del registro EAHFE (Epidemiology Acute Heart Failure in Emergency) ingresados/as por insuficiencia cardiaca aguda en 25 hospitales españoles. Se recogieron variables demográficas y clínicas, el día y el lugar del ingreso. La variable resultado principal fue el tiempo de estancia hospitalaria mayor que la mediana. Resultados: Se incluyeron 2400 pacientes con una edad media de 79,5 (±9,9) años, de los cuales 1334 (55,6%) eran mujeres. Quinientos noventa (24,6%) ingresaron en la unidad de corta estancia (UCE), 606 (25,2%) en cardiología y 1204 (50,2%) en medicina interna o geriatría. La mediana del tiempo de estancia hospitalaria fue de 7,0 (intervalo intercuartílico: 4-11 días). Cincuenta y ocho (2,4%) pacientes fallecieron y 562 (23,9%) sufrieron un reingreso a los 30 días tras el alta. Los factores independientes asociados a un tiempo de estancia hospitalaria prolongado fueron la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica, ser portador de un dispositivo, tener un factor precipitante desconocido o no común, la presencia en urgencias de insuficiencia renal, hiponatremia y anemia, no ingresar en una UCE o no disponer de dicha unidad e ingresar un lunes, martes o miércoles; y los asociados a un tiempo de estancia hospitalaria ≤7 días fueron la hipertensión arterial y tener como factor precipitante una crisis hipertensiva o la falta de adherencia al tratamiento. El área bajo la curva del modelo mixto ajustado al centro fue de 0,78 (intervalo de confianza del 95%: 0,76-0,80; p <0,001). Conclusiones: Hay una serie de factores asociados con un tiempo de estancia hospitalaria prolongado que deben ser considerados para la gestión del proceso de la insuficiencia cardiaca aguda (AU)

Objective: To identify the factors associated with prolonged length of hospital stay in patients admitted for acute heart failure. Methods: Multipurpose observational cohort study including patients from the EAHFE registry admitted for acute heart failure in 25 Spanish hospitals. Data were collected on demographic and clinical variables and on the day and place of admission. The primary outcome was length of hospital stay longer than the median. Results: We included 2,400 patients with a mean age of 79.5 (9.9) years; of these, 1,334 (55.6%) were women. Five hundred and ninety (24.6%) were admitted to the short stay unit (SSU), 606 (25.2%) to cardiology, and 1,204 (50.2%) to internal medicine or gerontology. The mean length of hospital stay was 7.0 (RIC 4-11) days. Fifty-eight (2.4%) patients died and 562 (23.9%) were readmitted within 30 days after discharge. The factors associated with prolonged length of hospital stay were chronic pulmonary disease; being a device carrier; having an unknown or uncommon triggering factor; the presence of renal insufficiency, hyponatremia and anaemia in the emergency department; not being admitted to an SSU or the lack of this facility in the hospital; and being admitted on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. The factors associated with length of hospital stay≤7days were hypertension, having a hypertensive episode, or a lack of treatment adherence. The area under the curve of the mixed model adjusted to the center was 0.78 (95% CI: 0.76-0.80; p<0.001). Conclusions: A series of factors is associated with prolonged length of hospital stay and should be taken into account in the management of acute heart failure (AU)

[Length of stay in patients admitted for acute heart failure]. / Tiempo de estancia prolongado en los pacientes ingresados por insuficiencia cardiaca aguda.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the factors associated with prolonged length of hospital stay in patients admitted for acute heart failure. METHODS: Multipurpose observational cohort study including patients from the EAHFE registry admitted for acute heart failure in 25 Spanish hospitals. Data were collected on demographic and clinical variables and on the day and place of admission. The primary outcome was length of hospital stay longer than the median. RESULTS: We included 2,400 patients with a mean age of 79.5 (9.9) years; of these, 1,334 (55.6%) were women. Five hundred and ninety (24.6%) were admitted to the short stay unit (SSU), 606 (25.2%) to cardiology, and 1,204 (50.2%) to internal medicine or gerontology. The mean length of hospital stay was 7.0 (RIC 4-11) days. Fifty-eight (2.4%) patients died and 562 (23.9%) were readmitted within 30 days after discharge. The factors associated with prolonged length of hospital stay were chronic pulmonary disease; being a device carrier; having an unknown or uncommon triggering factor; the presence of renal insufficiency, hyponatremia and anaemia in the emergency department; not being admitted to an SSU or the lack of this facility in the hospital; and being admitted on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. The factors associated with length of hospital stay≤7days were hypertension, having a hypertensive episode, or a lack of treatment adherence. The area under the curve of the mixed model adjusted to the center was 0.78 (95% CI: 0.76-0.80; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A series of factors is associated with prolonged length of hospital stay and should be taken into account in the management of acute heart failure.

[Factors associated with short stays for patients admitted with acute heart failure]. / Factores asociados a estancias cortas en los pacientes ingresados por insuficiencia cardiaca aguda.

OBJECTIVES: To identify factors associated with short hospital stays for patients admitted with acute heart failure (AHF) admitted to hospitals with short-stay units (SSU). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Multicenter nonintervention study in a multipurpose cohort of patients with AHF to 10 Spanish hospitals with short-stay units; patients were followed prospectively. We recorded demographic data, medical histories, baseline cardiorespiratory and function variables on arrival in the emergency department, on admission, and at 30 days. The outcome variable was a short hospital stay (<= 4 days). We built receiver operating characteristic curves of simple and mixed predictive models for short stays and calculated the area under the curves. RESULTS: A total of 1359 patients with a mean (SD) age of 78.7 (9.9) years (53.9% women) were included; 568 (41.8%) had short stays. Five hundred ninety patients (43.4%) were admitted to SSU and 769 (56.6%) were admitted to conventional wards. The variables associated with a short-stay according to the mixed regression model were hypertensive crisis (odds ratio [OR], 1.79; 95% CI, 1.17-2.73; P=.007) and admission to a SSU (OR, 16.6; 95% CI, 10.0-33.3; P<.001). Hypotensive AHF (OR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.26-0.91; P=.025), hypoxemia (OR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.53-0.88; P=.004); and admission on a Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday (OR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.49-0.77; P<.001) were associated with a long stay. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.827 (95% CI, 0.80-0.85; P<.001). Thirty-day mortality and readmission rates did not differ between patients with short vs long stays (mortality, 0.5% in both cases, P=.959; and readmission, 22.9% vs 27.7%, respectively; P=.059). CONCLUSION: Both clinical and administrative factors are independently related to whether patients with AHF have short stays in the hospitals studied, and among therapy, it is remaslcasle the existence of a SSU.

OBJETIVO: Identificar factores asociados a un tiempo de estancia hospitalaria (TDEH) corto en pacientes ingresados por insuficiencia cardiaca aguda (ICA) en hospitales con unidad de corta estancia (UCE). METODO: Estudio de cohorte multipropósito y multicéntrico no intervencionista, con seguimiento prospectivo de pacientes con ICA ingresados en 10 hospitales españoles con UCE. Se recogieron variables demográficas, antecedentes personales, situación basal cardiorrespiratoria y funcional, de urgencias, del ingreso y de seguimiento a 30 días. La variable resultado fue un TDEH corto (<= 4 días). Se realizaron curvas de rendimiento diagnóstico (ROC) de modelos simples y mixtos predictivos de TDEH corto y se calculó el área bajo la curva (ABC) de la característica operativa del receptor (COR). RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 1.359 pacientes con una edad 78,7 (DE: 9,9) años, el 53,9% mujeres, 568 (41,8%) tuvieron un TDE de 4 o menos días. Ingresaron 590 pacientes (43,4%) en UCE y 769 (56,6%) en salas de hospitalización convencional. En el modelo de regresión mixto ajustado al centro, la crisis hipertensiva (OR 1,79, IC 95%: 1,17-2,73; p = 0,007) y el ingresar en UCE (OR 16,6, IC95%: 10,0-33,3; p < 0,001) se asociaron a TDEH corto, y la ICA hipotensiva (OR 0,49, IC 95%: 0,26-0,91; p = 0,025), la hipoxemia, (OR 0,68, IC 95%: 0,53-0,88; p = 0,004) e ingresar en miércoles, jueves o viernes (OR 0,62, IC 95%: 0,49-0,77; p < 0,001) a TDEH largo. El ABC COR del modelo mixto ajustada al centro fue 0,827 (IC 95%: 0,80-0,85; p < 0,001). La mortalidad a 30 días y el reingreso a 30 días no difirieron entre ambos grupos (0,5% frente a 0,5%, p = 0,959; y 22,9% frente a 27,7%, p = 0,059, respectivamente). CONCLUSIONES: En pacientes con ICA existen factores clínicos y organizativos en cada centro que se relacionan de forma independiente con un TDEH corto, entre los que destaca el tener una UCE.

Estancia prolongada en pacientes ingresados por insuficiencia cardiaca aguda en la Unidad de Corta Estancia (estudio EPICA-UCE): factores asociados / Prolonged hospitalization in patients admitted for acute heart failure in the short stay unit (EPICA-UCE study): Study of associated factors

Fundamento y objetivo: Estudiar los factores asociados con una estancia prolongada de los pacientes ingresados por insuficiencia cardiaca aguda (ICA) en las unidades de corta estancia (UCE) españolas. Pacientes y método: Estudio de cohorte multipropósito y multicéntrico, con seguimiento prospectivo, que incluyó a todos los pacientes ingresados por ICA en las 11 UCE del registro EAHFE. Se recogieron variables demográficas, antecedentes personales, situación basal cardiorrespiratoria y funcional, datos del episodio de urgencias, del ingreso y del seguimiento a 60 días. La variable resultado fue la estancia prolongada en la UCE (mayor de 72 h). Se utilizó un modelo de regresión logística para controlar los efectos de los factores de confusión. Resultados: Se incluyeron 819 pacientes, con una edad media (DE) de 80,9 (8,4) años; 483 (59,0%) eran mujeres. La mediana de estancia fue de 3 días (intervalo intercuartílico 2,0-5,0), y la mortalidad intrahospitalaria del 2,7%. Fueron factores independientes asociados a una estancia prolongada, la coexistencia de enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (odds ratio [OR] 1,56, intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC 95%] 1,02-2,38; p = 0,040) y anemia (OR 1,72, IC 95% 1,21-2,44; p = 0,002), una saturación de oxígeno basal a la llegada a urgencias < 90% (OR 2,21, IC 95% 1,51-3,23; p < 0,001), una crisis hipertensiva como factor precipitante de la ICA (factor protector, OR 0,49, IC 95% 0,26-0,93; p = 0,028) e ingresar en jueves (OR 1,90, IC 95% 1,19-3,05; p = 0,008). No hubo diferencias significativas entre ambos grupos respecto a la mortalidad intrahospitalaria (2,4 frente a 3,0%), mortalidad (4,1 frente a 4,2%) ni revisita a 60 días (18,4 frente a 21,6%). Conclusiones: En los pacientes con ICA que ingresan en la UCE, se tienen que considerar factores como la presencia de crisis hipertensiva, insuficiencia respiratoria, anemia, antecedente de enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica, e ingresar un jueves para evitar hospitalizaciones prolongadas (AU)

Background and objective: To study the factors associated with prolonged hospitalization in patients admitted for acute heart failure (AHF) in Spanish short-stay units (SSUs). Patients and methods: This was a multicentre, multipurpose cohort study with prospective follow-up including all patients admitted for AHF in the 11 SSUs of the EAHFE registry. Demographic data, previous illness, baseline cardiorespiratory and functional status, acute episode and admission and follow up variables at 60 days were recorded. The primary outcome was prolonged hospitalization in the SSU (> 72 h). A logistic regression model was used to control the effects of confounding factors. Results: Eight-hundred and nineteen patients were included with a mean age of 80.9 (SD 8.4) years, 483 (59.0%) being women. The median length stay was 3.0 (IQR 2.0-5.0) days with an in-hospital mortality of 2.7%. The independent factors associated with prolonged hospitalization were the coexistence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (odds ratio [OR] 1.56; 95% IC 1.02-2.38; P = .040) and anaemia (OR 1.72; 95% CI 1.21-2.44; P = .002), basal oxygen saturation < 90% on arrival to the Emergency Department (OR2.21, 95% CI 1.51-3.23; P < .001), hypertensive episode as the precipitating factor of the AHF (protective factor OR 0.49; 95% CI 0.26-0.93; P = .028) and admission on Thursday (OR 1.90; 95% CI 1.19-3.05; P = .008). There were no significant differences between both groups regarding to in-hospital mortality (2.4 vs. 3.0%), mortality (4.1 vs. 4.2%) or revisit at 60 days (18.4 vs. 21.6%).Conclusions: Several factors including hypertensive episode, insufficiency respiratory, anaemia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and admission on Thursday should be taken into account in patients with AHF admitted in SSU stay to avoid prolonged hospitalization (AU)

[Prolonged hospitalization in patients admitted for acute heart failure in the short stay unit (EPICA-UCE study): study of associated factors]. / Estancia prolongada en pacientes ingresados por insuficiencia cardiaca aguda en la Unidad de Corta Estancia (estudio EPICA-UCE): factores asociados.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To study the factors associated with prolonged hospitalization in patients admitted for acute heart failure (AHF) in Spanish short-stay units (SSUs). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a multicentre, multipurpose cohort study with prospective follow-up including all patients admitted for AHF in the 11 SSUs of the EAHFE registry. Demographic data, previous illness, baseline cardiorespiratory and functional status, acute episode and admission and follow up variables at 60 days were recorded. The primary outcome was prolonged hospitalization in the SSU (>72h). A logistic regression model was used to control the effects of confounding factors. RESULTS: Eight-hundred and nineteen patients were included with a mean age of 80.9 (SD 8.4) years, 483 (59.0%) being women. The median length stay was 3.0 (IQR 2.0-5.0) days with an in-hospital mortality of 2.7%. The independent factors associated with prolonged hospitalization were the coexistence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (odds ratio [OR] 1.56; 95% IC 1.02-2.38; P=.040) and anaemia (OR 1.72; 95% CI 1.21-2.44; P=.002), basal oxygen saturation<90% on arrival to the Emergency Department (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.51-3.23; P<.001), hypertensive episode as the precipitating factor of the AHF (protective factor OR 0.49; 95% CI 0.26-0.93; P=.028) and admission on Thursday (OR 1.90; 95% CI 1.19-3.05; P=.008). There were no significant differences between both groups regarding to in-hospital mortality (2.4 vs. 3.0%), mortality (4.1 vs. 4.2%) or revisit at 60 days (18.4 vs. 21.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Several factors including hypertensive episode, insufficiency respiratory, anaemia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and admission on Thursday should be taken into account in patients with AHF admitted in SSU stay to avoid prolonged hospitalization.