Female gender and mortality risk in decompensated heart failure

Sex Differences in Acute Heart Failure Management: Is There a Gap in Treatment Quality?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Differences between men and women in demographics and clinical phenotype of heart failure have previously been described, as well as disparities in management and outcomes. This review summarizes the latest evidence concerning sex-related differences in acute heart failure and its most severe form, cardiogenic shock.

RECENT FINDINGS

Data from the last 5 years reaffirm the previous observations, with women with acute heart failure being older, more often having preserved ejection fraction and less frequently having an ischemic cause of the acute decompensation. Despite women still receive less invasive procedures and a less optimized medical treatment, the most recent studies find similar outcomes regardless of sex. These disparities persist in the context of cardiogenic shock, where women receive less mechanical circulatory support devices even if they present with more severe forms. This review reveals a different clinical picture of women with acute heart failure and cardiogenic shock compared to men, which translates into disparities in management. More female representation in studies would be needed in order to better understand the physiopathological basis of these differences and minimize inequalities in treatment and outcomes.

Sex related differences in the characteristics and outcomes of heart failure: A sub analysis of heart failure disease management study

Aims

This is a sub-analysis of a randomized controlled trial on heart failure (HF) disease management (DM) in which patients with HF (N = 1,360; 27.5% women) were assigned randomly to DM (N = 682) or usual care (UC) (N = 678). Study intervention did not significantly affect the rate of hospital admissions or mortality. This study evaluates sex-related differences in baseline characteristics, clinical manifestations, adherence to treatment and outcomes among the study cohort.

Methods

Association between sex and hospital admissions and mortality was tested in multivariable models adjusted for the patients’ baseline characteristics. The primary composite outcome of the study included time to first HF hospitalization or all-cause mortality. Secondary composite outcome included number of hospital admissions and days of hospitalization, for HF and all other causes.

Results

Compared to males, females recruited in the study were on average 3 years older [median age 72 (62, 78) vs. 75 (65, 82), p = 0.001], with higher prevalence of preserved left ventricular function (LVEF ≥50%) and lower frequency of ischemic heart disease (IHD) (p ≤ 0.001). Females had shorter 6-min walking distance and worse quality of life and depression scores at baseline (p < 0.001). The proportion of patients receiving HF recommended medical treatment was similar among females and males. During a median follow-up of 2.7 years (range: 0–5), there were no significant differences between females and males with respect to the time elapsed until the study primary endpoint and its components in univariate analysis [557 (56.5%) males and 218 (58.3%) females were hospitalized for HF or died for any cause; p > 0.05]. Multivariable analysis showed that females were significantly less likely than males to experience the primary outcome [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 0.835, 95% CI: 0.699, 0.998] or to die from any cause [adjusted HR = 0.712; 95%CI: 0.560, 0.901]. The sex-related mortality differences were especially significant among patients with non-preserved EF, with IHD or with recent HF hospitalization. Females also had lower rates of all-cause hospital admissions [adjusted rate ratio = 0.798; 95%CI: 0.705, 0.904] and were more likely to adhere to HF medical therapy compared to males.

Conclusion

Females with HF fare better than men. Sex related differences were not explained by baseline and morbidity-related characteristics or adherence to medical treatment.

Special Considerations in the Care of Women With Advanced Heart Failure

Advanced heart failure (AHF) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, and greater healthcare utilization. Recognition requires a thorough clinical assessment and appropriate risk stratification. There are persisting inequities in the allocation of AHF therapies. Women are less likely to be referred for evaluation of candidacy for heart transplantation or left ventricular assist device despite facing a higher risk of AHF-related mortality. Sex-specific risk factors influence progression to advanced disease and should be considered when evaluating women for advanced therapies. The purpose of this review is to discuss the role of sex hormones on the pathophysiology of AHF, describe the clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation and definitive therapies of AHF in women with special attention to pregnancy, lactation, contraception and menopause. Future studies are needed to address areas of equipoise in the care of women with AHF.

Prognostic impact of diabetes in chronic and acute heart failure

A strong, bidirectional relationship exists between diabetes mellitus (DM) and heart failure (HF) and DM is responsible of the activation of several molecular and pathophysiological mechanisms that may, on the long term, damage the heart. However, the prognostic role of DM in the context of chronic and acute HF is still not yet defined and there are several gaps of evidence in the literature on this topic. These gaps are related to the wide phenotypic heterogeneity of patients with chronic and acute HF and to the concept that not all diabetic patients are the same, but there is the necessity to better characterize the disease and each single patient, also considering the role of other possible comorbidities. The aim of the present review is to summarize the pathophysiological mechanisms subtending the negative effect of DM in HF and analyze the available data exploring the prognostic impact of such comorbidity in both chronic and acute HF.

Sex differences in acute cardiovascular care: a review and needs assessment

Despite significant progress in the care of patients suffering from cardiovascular disease, there remains a persistent sex disparity in the diagnosis, management, and outcomes of these patients. These sex disparities are seen across the spectrum of cardiovascular care, but, are especially pronounced in acute cardiovascular care. The spectrum of acute cardiovascular care encompasses critically ill or tenuous patients with cardiovascular conditions that require urgent or emergent decision-making and interventions. In this narrative review, the disparities in the clinical course, management, and outcomes of six commonly encountered acute cardiovascular conditions, some with a known sex-predilection will be discussed within the basis of underlying sex differences in physiology, anatomy, and pharmacology with the goal of identifying areas where improvement in clinical approaches are needed.

Gender-related clinical and management differences in patients with chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction

AIM

Gender-related differences have been described in the clinical characteristics and management of patients with chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). However, published data are conflictive in this regard.

METHODS

We investigated differences in clinical and management variables between male and female patients from the ATA study, a prospective, multicentre, observational study that included 1462 outpatients with chronic HFrEF between January and June 2019.

RESULTS

Study population was predominantly male (70.1%). In comparison to men, women with chronic HFrEF were older (66 ± 11 years vs 69 ± 12 years, P < .001), suffered more hospitalisations and presented more frequently with NYHA class III or IV symptoms. Ischaemic heart disease was more frequent in men, whereas anaemia, thyroid disease and depression were more frequent in women. No difference was seen between genders in the use rate of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors, beta-blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, or ivabradine, or in the proportion of patients achieving target doses of these drugs. Regarding device therapies, men were more often treated with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) and women received more cardiac resynchronisation therapy.

CONCLUSION

In summary, although management seemed to be equivalent between genders, women tended to present with more symptoms, require hospitalisation more frequently and have different comorbidities than men. These results highlight the importance of gender-related differences in HFrEF and call for further research to clarify the causes of these disparities. Gender-specific recommendations should be included in future guidelines in HFrEF.

Predictability of Inpatient Mortality of Different Comorbidities in Both Types of Acute Decompensated Heart Failure: Analysis of National Inpatient Sample

Background

Several prediction models have been proposed to assess the short outcomes and in-hospital mortality among patients with heart failure (HF). Several variables were used in common among those models. We sought to focus on other, yet important risk factors that can predict outcomes. We also sought to stratify patients based on ejection fraction, matching both groups with different risk factors.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study utilizing the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project National Inpatient Sample (HCUP-NIS) 2016 database.

Results

There were totally 116,189 admissions for acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). Of these, 50.9% were for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) group (n = 59,195), and 49.1% were for heart failure with preserved ejection faction (HFpEF) group (n = 56,994). Overall, in-hospital mortality was 2.5% of admissions for ADHF (n = 2,869). When stratified by HF types, admissions for HFrEF had higher mortality rate (2.7%, n = 1,594) in comparison to admissions for HFpEF (2.2%, n = 1,275) (P < 0.001). Significantly associated variables in univariate analyses were age, race, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease (CKD), atrial fibrillation/flutter, obesity, and chronic ischemic heart disease (IHD), while gender and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) did not achieve statistical significance (P > 0.1).

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first study to stratify HF patients based on ejection fraction and utilizing different predictors and in-hospital mortality. These and other data support the need for future research to utilize these predictors to create more accurate models in the future.

Sex Differences in Clinical Characteristics and 2-Year Prognosis of Patients with Heart Failure Grouped by Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Status

After the new left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) classification criteria emerged, many studies have focused on the differences between heart failure (HF) with reduced EF (HFrEF), HF with midrange EF (HFmrEF), and HF with preserved EF (HFpEF). However, the lack of consensus on sex-related differences in prognosis within the new standard remains. We aimed to explore sex differences in the clinical characteristics and prognoses of Chinese inpatients with HF defined according to the new standard.From March 2014 to February 2016, 2284 patients with symptomatic HF were consecutively recruited to this prospective research. Case data and 2-year follow-up observations were used to identify sex differences in clinical characteristics and prognoses.When comparing men and women with HFrEF, HFmrEF, and HFpEF, women were older, were more likely to be hospitalized for the first diagnosis of HF, and had lower mean LVEF. Women had a higher tendency of all-cause mortality than did men at 3, 12, and 24 months following HF. After multivariate adjustment, the hazard ratios (HRs) for 24-month all-cause mortality for HFrEF, HFmrEF, and HFpEF were 1.113 (0.728, 1.704), P = 0.620; 1.063 (0.730, 1.548), P = 0.750; and 0.619 (0.240, 1.593), P = 0.320, for men versus women, respectively.There were some sex differences in the clinical characteristics of patients with symptomatic HF in HFrEF, HFmrEF, and HFpEF, but women and men had comparable outcomes over the 2-year period following hospitalization.

Analysis of mortality in patients with heart failure after de­compen­sation during long-term follow-up in specialized medical care and in real clinical practice

Background Mortality from chronic heart failure (CHF) remains high and entails serious demographic losses worldwide. The most vulnerable group is patients after acute decompensated HF (ADHF) who have a high risk of unfavorable outcome.Aim To analyze risks of all-cause death (ACD), cardiovascular death (CVD), and death from recurrent ADHF in CHF patients during two years following ADHF in long-term follow-up with specialized medical care and in real-life clinical practice.Material and methods The study successively included 942 CHF patients after ADHF. 510 patients continued out-patient treatment in a specialized CHF treatment center (CHFTC) (group 1) and 432 patients refused of the management in the CHFTC and were managed in out-patient clinics at the place of patient’s residence (group 2). Causes of death were determined based on inpatient hospital records, postmortem reports, or outpatient medical records. Cases of ACD, CVD, death from ADHF, and a composite index (CVD and death from ADHF) were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed with the software package Statistica 7.0 for Windows, SPSS, and statistical package R.Results Patients of group 2 were older, more frequently had functional class (FC) III CHF and less frequently FC I CHF compared to group 1. Women and patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LV EF) prevailed in both groups. Results of the Cox proportional hazards model for ACD, CVD, death from ADHF, and the composite mortality index showed that belonging to group 2 was an independent predictor for increased risk of death (р<0.001). An increase in CCS score by 1 also increased the risk of death (р<0.001). Baseline CHF FC and LV EF did not influence the mortality in any model. Female gender and a higher value of 6-min walk test (6MW) independently decreased the risk of all outcomes except for CVD. An increase in systolic BP by 10 mm Hg reduced risk of all fatal outcomes. At two years of follow-up in groups 2 and 1, ACD was 29.9 % and 10.2 %, (OR, 3.7; 95 % CI: 2.6–5.3; p <0.001), CVD was 10.4 % and 1.9 % (OR, 5.9; 95 % CI: 2.8–12.4; p<0.001), death from ADHF was 18.1 % and 6.0 % (OR, 3.5; 95 % CI: 2.2–5.5; p<0.001), and the composite mortality index was 25.2 % and 7.7 % (OR, 4.1; 95 % CI: 2.7–6.1; р<0.001). Analysis of all outcomes by follow-up period (3 and 6 months and 1 and 2 years) showed that the difference between groups 2 and 1 in risks of any fatal outcome was maximal during the first 6 months.Conclusion The follow-up in the system of specialized medical care reduces risks of ACD, CVD, and death from ADHF. The first 6 months following discharge from the hospital was a vulnerability period for patients after ADHF. The CCS score impaired the prognosis whereas baseline LV EF and CHF FC did not influence the long-term prognosis after ADHF. Protective factors included female gender and higher values of 6MW and systolic BP.

Sex- and age-related differences in the management and outcomes of chronic heart failure: an analysis of patients from the ESC HFA EORP Heart Failure Long-Term Registry

AIMS

This study aimed to assess age- and sex-related differences in management and 1-year risk for all-cause mortality and hospitalization in chronic heart failure (HF) patients.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Of 16 354 patients included in the European Society of Cardiology Heart Failure Long-Term Registry, 9428 chronic HF patients were analysed [median age: 66 years; 28.5% women; mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 37%]. Rates of use of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) were high (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers, beta-blockers and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists: 85.7%, 88.7% and 58.8%, respectively). Crude GDMT utilization rates were lower in women than in men (all differences: P ≤ 0.001), and GDMT use became lower with ageing in both sexes, at baseline and at 1-year follow-up. Sex was not an independent predictor of GDMT prescription; however, age >75 years was a significant predictor of GDMT underutilization. Rates of all-cause mortality were lower in women than in men (7.1% vs. 8.7%; P = 0.015), as were rates of all-cause hospitalization (21.9% vs. 27.3%; P < 0.001) and there were no differences in causes of death. All-cause mortality and all-cause hospitalization increased with greater age in both sexes. Sex was not an independent predictor of 1-year all-cause mortality (restricted to patients with LVEF ≤45%). Mortality risk was significantly lower in patients of younger age, compared to patients aged >75 years.

CONCLUSIONS

There was a decline in GDMT use with advanced age in both sexes. Sex was not an independent predictor of GDMT or adverse outcomes. However, age >75 years independently predicted lower GDMT use and higher all-cause mortality in patients with LVEF ≤45%.

Association of Sex With Postoperative Mortality Among Patients With Heart Failure Who Underwent Elective Noncardiac Operations

IMPORTANCE

Sex differences in postoperative outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF) have not been well characterized. Women generally experience a lower postoperative mortality risk after noncardiac operations. It is unclear if this pattern holds among patients with HF.

OBJECTIVES

To determine if the risk of postoperative mortality is associated with sex among patients with HF who underwent noncardiac operations and to determine if sex is associated with the relationship between HF and postoperative mortality.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This multisite cohort study used data from the US Department of Veterans Affairs Surgical Quality Improvement Project database for all patients who underwent elective noncardiac operations from October 1, 2009, to September 30, 2016, with a minimum of 1 year follow-up. The data analysis was conducted from May 1, 2018, to August 31, 2018.

EXPOSURES

Heart failure, left ventricular ejection fraction, and sex.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Postoperative mortality at 90 days.

RESULTS

Among 609 735 patients who underwent elective noncardiac operations from 2009 to 2016, 47 997 patients had HF (7.9%; mean [SD] age, 68.6 [10.1] years; 1391 [2.9%] women) and 561 738 patients did not have HF (92.1%; mean [SD] age, 59.4 [13.4] years; 50 862 [9.1%] women). Among patients with HF, female sex was not independently associated with 90-day postoperative mortality (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.97; 95% CI, 0.71-1.32). Although HF was associated with increased odds of postoperative mortality in both sexes compared with their peers without HF, the odds of postoperative mortality were higher among women with HF (aOR, 2.44; 95% CI, 1.73-3.45) than men with HF (aOR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.54-1.74), suggesting that HF may negate the general protective association of female sex with postoperative mortality (P for interaction of HF × sex = .03). This pattern was consistent across all levels of left ventricular ejection fraction.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Although HF was associated with increased odds of postoperative mortality in both sexes compared with their peers without HF, the odds of postoperative mortality were higher among women with HF than men with HF, suggesting that HF may negate the general protective association of female sex with postoperative mortality risk in noncardiac operations.

[EPOCHA-D-CHF: gender differences in the prognosis of patients with CHF af-ter acute decompensation (part 2*)]

AIM

To study effects of gender differences in clinical and epidemiological factors on long-term prognosis for patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective, observational analysis of a sample of patients (n=718) hospitalized with signs of ADHF with subsequent collecting information about the endpoint (all-cause death) at four years.

RESULTS

Age was a predictor of unfavorable outcome for both men and women (RR, 1.04, 95% CI, 1.02-1.06, p&lt;0.001 and RR, 1.04, 95% CI, 1.03-1.06, p&lt;0.001). Presence of lower extremity edema increased the risk of fatal outcome for men (RR, 2.03, 95% CI, 1.21-3.39, р=0.007) whereas for women, presence of ascites (RR, 3.43, 95% CI, 2.09-5.64, р&lt;0.001) or orthopneic position on admission (RR, 1.51, 95% CI, 1.03-2.23, p=0.04) resulted in the increased risk. For both sexes, the prediction improved with every 10% increase in systolic BP on admission (RR, 0.87, 95% CI, 0.78-0.97, p=0.01 for men and RR, 0.84, 95% CI, 0.76-0.91, p&lt;0.001 for women). Presence of diabetes mellitus affected the prediction only for women (RR, 1.80, 95% CI, 1.34-2.42, p&lt;0.001). A history of myocardial infarction (RR, 1.40, 95% CI, 1.01-1.95, p=0.04 and RR, 1.44, 95% CI, 1.04-1.98, р=0.03), presence of communityacquired pneumonia (RR, 1.90, 95% CI, 1.32-2.74, p&lt;0.001 and RR, 2.38, 95% CI, 1.55-3.68, p&lt;0.001) adversely affected the prediction for men and women, respectively. At the end of study (4 years), the endpoint (all-cause death) was observed in 65.5% of men and 48.1% of women, median survival was 720 и 1168 days, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Te long-term prognosis was worse for men hospitalized for ADHF. Presence of congestion signs impaired the prediction for both men and women. Patients with higher systolic BP on admission were characterized with beter survival. A history of diabetes mellitus for women and myocardial infarction or community acquired pneumonia for both sexes worsened the long-term prediction.

Sex differences in 1-year mortality risks in older patients experiencing a first acute heart failure hospitalization

AIM

To assess whether 1-year mortality in older patients experiencing a first admission for acute heart failure was related to sex, and to explore differential characteristics according to sex.

METHODS

We reviewed the medical records of 1132 patients aged >70 years of age admitted within a 3-year period because of a first episode of acute heart failure. We analyzed sex differences. Mortality was assessed using multivariate Cox analysis.

RESULTS

There were 648 (57.2%) women (mean age 82.1 years) and 484 men (mean age 80.1 years). There were some differences in risk factors: women more often had hypertension, and less frequently had coronary heart disease and comorbidities (women more often had dementia, and men more often had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease and stroke). Women were treated more frequently with spironolactone. The 1-year all-cause mortality rate was 30.2% (30.7% women and 29.5% men). Multivariate Cox analysis identified an association between reduced heart failure (hazard ratio [HR] 0.35, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.21-0.59), hemoglobin <10 g/dL (HR 1.99, 95% CI 1.16-3.40), systolic blood pressure (HR 0.98, 95% CI 0.97-0.99), previous diagnosis of dementia (HR 2.07, 95% CI 1.12-3.85), number of chronic therapies (HR 1.12, 95% CI 1.05-1.19) and 1-year mortality in women. In men, an association with mortality was found for low systolic blood pressure (HR 0.97, 95% CI 0.97-0.98) and higher potassium values (HR 1.42, 95% CI 1.01-2.00).

CONCLUSIONS

Among older patients hospitalized for the first acute heart failure episode, there is a slightly higher predominance of women. There are sex differences in risk factors and comorbidities. Although the mortality rate is similar, the factors associated with it according to sex are different. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 184-188.