Papel del factor precipitante de un episodio de insuficiencia cardiaca aguda en relación al pronóstico a corto plazo del paciente: estudio PAPRICA

Objetivos: Hay pocos estudios que analicen el papel que juegan los factores precipitantes (FPre) en el manejo de la insuficiencia cardiaca aguda (ICA). El estudio PAPRICA pretende analizar la relación entre la identificación de diferentes FPre con la mortalidad precoz y las reconsultas a los 30 días. Método: Estudio retrospectivo, multicéntrico, con seguimiento de cohortes a partir de los datos incluidos en el registro EAHFE (Epidemiology Acute Heart Failure Emergency). Se recogieron datos de todos los episodios de ICA en 8 servicios de urgencias hospitalarios (SUH) españoles durante el mes de abril de 2007. Se recogieron datos del perfil clínico y la evolución a corto plazo (mortalidad y reconsulta a los 30 días). La variable clasificadora del estudio fue la ausencia o presencia conocida de FPre del episodio de ICA. Sólo se recogió un FPre por episodio. Resultados: Se incluyeron 662 casos. El 51,4% de los casos presentaron un FPre. A los 30 días se registró una mortalidad del 6,2% y un índice de reconsultas del 26,6%. Los FPre más frecuentes fueron las infecciones (22,2%), las taquiarritmias (13%), la emergencia hipertensiva (4,9%), la transgresión del tratamiento (4,2%), la anemia (3,9%) y la isquemia coronaria (3,7%). En conjunto, no hubo diferencias significativas de los pacientes que tuvieron un FPre, ni en cuanto a mortalidad (5,0% con FPre vs 7,5% sin FPre, p = 0,25) ni en lo relativo a las reconsultas (29,3% vs 23,8%, p = 0,12). Individualmente, la infección respiratoria se asoció a un menor porcentaje crudo de reconsultas a los 30 días, pero no afectó la mortalidad. Para el resto de FPre se observaron algunas tendencias, pero ninguna alcanzó una significación estadística. Conclusiones: En el estudio PAPRICA, la identificación de un FPre del episodio de ICA no se asoció con el pronóstico a corto plazo, si bien algún FPre en concreto, especialmente la infección respiratoria, podría estar ligado a un pronóstico diferente respecto a los pacientes en los que no se identifica ningún FPre. [Emergencias 2012;24:438-446

Thirty-day outcomes in frail older patients discharged home from the emergency department with acute heart failure: effects of high-risk criteria identified by the DEED FRAIL-AHF trial

Objectives: To study the effect of high-risk criteria on 30-day outcomes in frail older patients with acute heart failure (AHF) discharged from an emergency department (ED) or an ED's observation and short-stay areas. Material and methods: Secondary analysis of discharge records in the Older AHF Key Data registry. We selected frail patients (aged > 70 years) discharged with AHF from EDs. Risk factors were categorized as modifiable or nonmodifiable. The outcomes were a composite endpoint for a cardiovascular event (revisits for AHF, hospitalization for AHF, or cardiovascular death) and the number of days alive out-of-hospital (DAOH) within 30 days of discharge. Results: We included 380 patients with a mean (SD) age of 86 (5.5) years (61.2% women). Modifiable risk factors were identified in 65.1%, nonmodifiable ones in 47.8%, and both types in 81.6%. The 30-day cardiovascular composite endpoint occurred in 83 patients (21.8%). The mean 30-day DAOH observed was 27.6 (6.1) days. Highrisk factors were present more often in patients who developed the cardiovascular event composite endpoint: the rates for patients with modifiable, nonmodifiable, or both types of risk were, respectively, as follows in comparison with patients not at high risk: 25.0% vs 17.2%, P = .092; 27.6% vs 16.7%, P = .010; and 24.7% vs 15.2%, P = .098). The 30-day DAOH outcome was also lower for at-risk patients, according to type of risk factor present: modifiable, 26.9 (7.0) vs 28.4 (4.4) days, P = .011; nonmodifiable, 27.1 (7.0) vs 28.0 (5.0) days, P = .127; and both, 27.1 (6.7) vs 28.8 (3.4) days, P = .005). After multivariate analysis, modifiable risk remained independently associated with fewer days alive (adjusted absolute difference in 30-day DAOH, -1.3 days (95% CI, -2.7 to -0.1 days). Nonmodifiable factors were associated with increased risk for the 30-day cardiovascular composite endpoint (adjusted absolute difference, 10.4%; 95% CI, -2.1% to 18.7%). Conclusion: Risk factors are common in frail elderly patients with AHF discharged home from hospital ED areas. Their presence is associated with a worse 30-day prognosis

Identificación y prevalencia de factores precipitantes de insuficiencia cardiaca aguda en los servicios de urgencias españoles y su relación con el pronóstico a corto y medio plazo

[spa] Introducción. Hay pocos estudios que analicen el papel que juegan los factores precipitantes (FP) en el manejo de la insuficiencia cardiaca aguda (ICA). Los datos respecto a la epidemiología de los FP y su relación con el pronóstico proceden de registros de pacientes hospitalizados, los cuales no incluyen a los pacientes dados de alta desde los servicios de urgencias hospitalarios(SUH) Hipótesis y objetivos. La epidemiología de los FP de ICA difiere de la publicada en la literatura. Los FP pueden tener relación con el pronóstico a medio y corto plazo. El objetivo fue evaluar la identificación de FP en los SUH españoles, la prevalencia de los más frecuentes y su relación con la mortalidad y la reconsulta a los 30 y 90 días. Métodos. Estudio multipropósito prospectivo de una cohorte procedente del Registro EAHFE. Como Factores precipitantes se incluyeron: infección, fibrilación auricular rápida, anemia, emergencia hipertensiva, trasgresión terapéutica-dietética, y síndrome coronario agudo sin elevación del ST. Como grupo control se escogió a los pacientes sin factor precipitante. Se calcularon las Odds ratio y hazard ratio crudas y ajustadas para la reconsulta a urgencias y la mortalidad por cualquier causa a 30 días (estudio PAPRICA) y 90 días (estudio PAPRICA-2). Resultados. Estudio PAPRICA: se incluyeron 662 casos. El 51,4% de los casos presentaron un FP. Los FP más frecuentes fueron, las infecciones (22,2%) y las taquiarrítmias (13%). No hubo diferencias significativas ni en cuanto a mortalidad (5,0% vs 7,5%, p=0,25) ni en lo relativo a las reconsultas (29,3% vs 23,8%, p=0,12). Individualmente, la infección respiratoria se asoció a un menor porcentaje crudo de reconsultas a los 30 días, pero no afectó la mortalidad. Para el resto de FP se observaron algunas tendencias, pero ninguna alcanzó significación estadística. Estudio PAPRICA-2: se incluyeron 3.535 pacientes: 28% sin y 72% con factor precipitante. Presentaron menor mortalidad los pacientes con Fibrilación auricular rápida (HR 0,67; IC95% 0,50-0,89) y emergencia hipertensiva (HR 0,45; IC95% 0,28-0,72) y mayor los pacientes con síndrome coronario agudo sin elevación del ST (HR 1,79; IC95% 1,19-2,70). La reconsulta fue menor en los pacientes con infección (HR 0,74; IC95% 0,64-0,85), fibrilación auricular rápida (HR 0,69; 0,58-0,83) y emergencia hipertensiva (HR 0,71; IC95% 0,55-0,91). Estas diferencias persistieron en todos los modelos ajustados, excepto las relacionadas con la emergencia hipertensiva. Conclusiones. En tres de cada cuatro pacientes se identifica un factor precipitante, pudiendo éste influir en los resultados a medio plazo. El síndrome coronario agudo sin elevación del ST y la fibrilación auricular se asociaron a una mayor y menor mortalidad a 90 días respectivamente, y la fibrilación auricular y la infección a una menor probabilidad de reconsulta a 30 y 90 días.[eng] Introduction. Few studies have analyzed the impact of precipitating factors (PF) on the management of acute heart failure (AHF). Data from AHF registries come from the hospitalized patients, which do not include patients discharged from the emergency department (ED) Hypothesis and objectives. Epidemiology of the FP differs from that published in the literature. They can be related to the medium and short term prognosis. The objective was to evaluate the PF identification in the Spanish ED, the prevalence of the most frequent and its relationship with mortality and ED revisit rates at 30 and 90 days. Methods. Multipurpose prospective study from the EAHFE Registry. We included as precipitating factors: infection, atrial fibrillation, anaemia, hypertensive crisis, non-adherence to diet or drug therapy and non-ST-segment-elevation acute coronary syndrome. Patients without precipitating factors were control group. Odds ratios and Hazard ratios crudes and adjusted for reconsultations and mortality at 30 days (PAPRICA study) and 90 days (PAPRICA-2 study) were calculated. Results. PAPRICA study: Data for 662 cases were included. A PF was registered for 51.4%. The most common PF were infection (22.2%) and tachycardia (13%). There were no significant differences in 30-day mortality (5.0% vs 7.5%, P=.25) or revisiting rates (29.3% vs 23.8%, P=.12). We noted that a smaller percentage of patients with respiratory infections revisited within 30 days, but there was no association with mortality. PAPRICA-2 study: 3535 patients were included: 28% without and 72% with precipitating factor. Patients with atrial fibrillation (HR 0.67; IC95% 0.50-0.89) and hypertensive crisis (HR 0.45; IC95% 0.28-0.72) had less mortality and patients with non-ST-segment-elevation acute coronary syndrome (HR 1.79; IC95% 1.19-2.70) had more mortality. Reconsultation was less in patients with infection (HR 0.74; IC95% 0.64-0.85), atrial fibrillation (HR 0.69; 0.58-0.83) and hypertensive crisis (HR 0.71; IC95% 0.55-0.91). These differences were maintained in all the adjusted models except for hypertensive crisis. Conclusions. One precipitating factor is identified in three out of four patients and it may influence medium-term prognosis. At 90 days, non-ST-segment-elevation acute coronary syndrome and atrial fibrillation were associated with more and less mortality respectively, and atrial fibrillation and infection with less probability of reconsultation

Time-pattern of adverse outcomes after an infection-triggered acute heart failure decompensation and the influence of early antibiotic administration and hospitalisation: results of the PAPRICA-3 Study

Objective: To investigate whether patients with an acute heart failure (AHF) episode triggered by infection present different outcomes compared to patients with no trigger and the effects of early antibiotic administration (EAA) and hospitalisation. Methods: Two groups were made according to the AHF trigger: infection (G1) or none identified (G2). The primary outcome was 13-week (91-days) all-cause mortality, and secondary outcomes were 13-week post-discharge mortality, readmission or combined endpoint. Comparisons are presented as unadjusted and adjusted (MEESSI risk score) hazard ratios (uHR/aHR) for G1 compared to G2 patients, also estimated by weeks. Stratified analysis by EAA (provided/not provided) and patient disposition (discharged/hospitalised) was performed. Results: We included 6727 patients (G1 = 3973; G2 = 2754). The 13-week mortality uHR was 1.11 (0.99-1.25; p = 0.06; with significant increases in the first 3 weeks), and the aHR was 0.91 (0.81-1.02; p = 0.11). There were no differences in unadjusted secondary post-discharge outcomes; however, G1 outcomes significantly improved after adjustment: aHR 0.83 (0.71-0.96; p = 0.01) for mortality, 0.92 (0.84-0.99; p = 0.04) for readmission, and 0.92 (0.85-0.99; p = 0.04) for the combined endpoint. We found a differentiated effect of hospitalisation (p < 0.05 for interaction; better post-discharge readmission and combined outcomes in G1), and a trend (p = 0.06) to lower mortality in G1 patients with EAA. Additionally, there were some differences between groups in baseline and acute episode characteristics. Conclusion: AHF triggered by infection is not associated with a higher mid-term mortality and has better post-discharge outcomes; however, the first 3 weeks are an extremely vulnerable period. Since hospitalisation could have a role in limiting adverse post-discharge events, and EAA in reducing mortality, these relationships should be prospectively explored in further studies

Emergency department direct discharge compared to short-stay unit admission for selected patients with acute heart failure: analysis of short-term outcomes

Short stay unit (SSU) is an alternative to conventional hospitalization in patients with acute heart failure (AHF), but the prognosis is not known compared to direct discharge from the emergency department (ED). To determine whether direct discharge from the ED of patients diagnosed with AHF is associated with early adverse outcomes versus hospitalization in SSU. Endpoints, defined as 30-day all-cause mortality or post-discharge adverse events, were evaluated in patients diagnosed with AHF in 17 Spanish EDs with an SSU, and compared by ED discharge vs. SSU hospitalization. Endpoint risk was adjusted for baseline and AHF episode characteristics and in patients matched by propensity score (PS) for SSU hospitalization. Overall, 2358 patients were discharged home and 2003 were hospitalized in SSUs. Discharged patients were younger, more frequently men, with fewer comorbidities, had better baseline status, less infection, rapid atrial fibrillation and hypertensive emergency as the AHF trigger, and had a lower severity of AHF episode. While their 30-day mortality rate was lower than in patients hospitalized in SSU (4.4% vs. 8.1%, p < 0.001), 30-day post-discharge adverse events were similar (27.2% vs. 28.4%, p = 0.599). After adjustment, there were no differences in the 30-day risk of mortality of discharged patients (adjusted HR 0.846, 95% CI 0.637–1.107) or adverse events (1.035, 0.914–1.173). In 337 pairs of PS-matched patients, there were no differences in mortality or risk of adverse event between patients directly discharged or admitted to an SSU (0.753, 0.409–1.397; and 0.858, 0.645–1.142; respectively). Direct ED discharge of patients diagnosed with AHF provides similar outcomes compared to patients with similar characteristics and hospitalized in a SSU

Departments involved during the first episode of acute heart failure and subsequent emergency department revisits and rehospitalisations: an outlook through the NOVICA cohort

Objectives: We investigated the natural history of patients after a first episode of acute heart failure (FEAHF) requiring emergency department (ED) consultation, focusing on: the frequency of ED visits and hospitalisations, departments admitting patients during the first and subsequent hospitalisations, and factors associated with difficult disease control. Methods and results: We included consecutive patients diagnosed with FEAHF (either with or without previous heart failure diagnosis) in four EDs during 5 months in three different time periods (2009, 2011, 2014). Diagnosis was adjudicated by local principal investigators. The clinical characteristics of the index event were prospectively recorded, and all post-discharge ED visits and hospitalisations [related/unrelated to acute heart failure (AHF)], as well as departments involved in subsequent hospitalisations were retrospectively ascertained. 'Uncontrolled disease' during the first year after FEAHF was considered if patients were attended at ED (≥ 3 times) or hospitalised (≥ 2 times) for AHF or died. Overall, 505 patients with FEAHF were included and followed for a mean of 2.4 years. In-hospital mortality was 7.5%. Among 467 patients discharged alive, 288 died [median survival 3.9 years, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.5-4.4], 421 (90%) revisited the ED (2342 ED visits; 42.4% requiring hospitalisation, 34.0% AHF-related) and 357 (77%) were hospitalised (1054 hospitalisations; 94.1% through ED, 51.4% AHF-related). AHF-related hospitalisations were mainly in internal medicine (28.0%), short-stay unit (26.3%), cardiology (20.8%), and geriatrics (14.1%). Only 47.4% of AHF-related hospitalisations were in the same department as the FEAHF, and internal medicine involvement significantly increased with subsequent hospitalisations (P = 0.01). Uncontrolled disease was observed in 31% of patients, which was independently related to age > 80 years [odds ratio (OR) 1.80, 95% CI 1.17-2.77], systolic blood pressure < 110 mmHg at ED arrival (OR 2.61, 95% CI 1.26-5.38) and anaemia (OR 2.39, 95% CI 1.51-3.78). Conclusion: In the present aged cohort of AHF patients from Barcelona, Spain, the natural history after FEAHF showed different patterns of hospital department involvement. Advanced age, low systolic blood pressure and anaemia were factors related to uncontrolled disease during the year after debut

Guidelines for emergency management of acute heart failure: consensus of the Acute Heart Failure Working Group of the Spanish Society of Emergency Medicine (ICA-SEMES) in 2011

Los servicios de urgencias (SU) son una parte esencial en las distintas fases de manejo de la insuficiencia cardiaca aguda (ICA), ya que la rápida evaluación y actuación ante distintos eventos determinan el pronóstico; muchos de los tratamientos empleados en esta fase precoz pueden modificar la evolución de la enfermedad; y la correcta clasifica­ción y estratificación del riesgo de estos pacientes puede facilitar el mejor tratamiento. Las diferentes guías que se han elaborado en los últimos años no especifican el tratamiento precoz, ni a nivel extrahospitalario ni en las primeras 6-12 horas de su llegada a los SU hospitalarios. Basándonos en la evidencia actual, en las distintas guías publicadas y en la experiencia adquirida, el grupo ICA-SEMES ha desarrollado este documento con el objetivo de presentar aspectos prácticos relevantes para ayudar a los urgenciólogos en la valoración inicial de esta enfermedad y facilitar la elección de las mejores opciones terapéuticas en el manejo de la ICA en los SU

Editor's choice- impact of identifying precipitating factors on 30-day mortality in acute heart failure patients

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence and prognostic value of the most common triggering factors in acute heart failure. METHODS: Patients with acute heart failure from 41 Spanish emergency departments were recruited consecutively in three time periods between 2011 and 2016. Precipitating factors were classified as: (a) unrecognized; (b) infection; (c) atrial fibrillation; (d) anaemia; (e) hypertension; (f) acute coronary syndrome; (g) non-adherence; and (h) two or more precipitant factors. Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models were used to assess the association between 30-day mortality and each precipitant factor. The risk of dying was further evaluated by week intervals over the 30-day follow-up to assess the period of higher vulnerability for each precipitant factor. RESULTS: Approximately 69% of our 9999 patients presented with a triggering factor and 1002 died within the first 30 days (10.0%). The most prevalent factors were infection and atrial fibrillation. After adjusting for 11 known predictors, acute coronary syndrome was associated with higher 30-day mortality (odds ratio (OR) 1.87; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-3.42), whereas atrial fibrillation (OR 0.75; 95% CI 0.56-0.94) and hypertension (OR 0.34; 95% CI 0.21-0.55) were significantly associated with better outcomes when compared to patients without precipitant. Patients with infection, anaemia and non-compliance were not at higher risk of dying within 30 days. These findings were consistent across gender and age groups. The 30-day mortality time pattern varied between and within precipitant factors. CONCLUSIONS: Precipitant factors in acute heart failure patients are prevalent and have a prognostic value regardless of the patient's gender and age. They can be managed with specific treatments and can sometimes be prevented

Short-term outcomes by chronic betablocker treatment in patients presenting to emergency departments with acute heart failure: BB-EAHFE

Aims: to evaluate the association between chronic treatment with betablockers (BB) and the severity of decompensation and short-term outcomes of patients with acute heart failure (AHF). Methods and results: we consecutively included all patients presenting with AHF to 45 Spanish emergency departments (ED) during six different time-periods between 2007 and 2018. Patients were stratified according to whether they were on chronic treatment with BB at the time of ED consultation. Those receiving BB were compared (adjusted odds ratio-OR-with 95% confidence interval-CI-) with those not receiving BB group in terms of in-hospital and 7-day all-cause mortality, need for hospitalization, and prolonged length of stay (≥7 days). Among the 17 923 recruited patients (median age: 80 years; 56% women), 7795 (43%) were on chronic treatment with BB. Based on the MEESSI-AHF risk score, those on BB were at lower risk. In-hospital mortality was observed in 1310 patients (7.4%), 7-day mortality in 765 (4.3%), need for hospitalization in 13 428 (75.0%), and prolonged length of stay (43.3%). After adjustment for confounding, those on chronic BB were at lower risk for in-hospital all-cause mortality (OR = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.79-0.92, P < 0.001); 7-day all-cause mortality (OR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.70-0.85, P < 0.001); need for hospitalization (OR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.85-0.94, P < 0.001); prolonged length of stay (OR = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.86-0.94, P < 0.001). A propensity matching approach yielded consistent findings. Conclusion: in patients presenting to ED with AHF, those on BB had better short-term outcomes than those not receiving BB