Hemoconcentration is a good prognostic predictor for clinical outcomes in acute heart failure: data from the Korean Heart Failure (KorHF) Registry

CHAnges in Diuretic Medication Prescribing and Surrogate Laboratory Parameters After Initiating EmpagliflOziN in Veterans (CHAMPION Cohort Study)

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Sodium-glucose cotransporter type 2 inhibitors have evolved into a novel drug class utilized for reductions in cardiovascular risk and heart failure hospitalization. We aimed to describe the impact of sodium-glucose cotransporter type 2 inhibitors on diuretic prescribing patterns and intermediate laboratory outcomes in patients with and without diuretic use.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included patients taking empagliflozin as of 1 July, 2021. Patients were assigned to the intervention group if prescribed a diuretic concomitantly or a control group otherwise. The primary outcome was the impact of empagliflozin on diuretic prescribing (i.e., no change, discontinuation, decrease, increase). Secondary outcomes were change in weight, hemoglobin A1c, estimated glomerular filtration rate, hemoglobin, hematocrit, blood pressure, and electrolytes at 90 and 180 days. Mean differences were compared using the t-test between groups or the paired t-test within groups. Patients without diuretic use were matched 1:1 to patients taking diuretics using propensity scores.

RESULTS

This study included 1189 patients: 750 in the control group and 439 in the intervention group. After propensity score matching, baseline characteristics were well balanced. Of the 439 patients in the intervention group, 118 had changes in the diuretic regimen. There were 131 changes: 109 (83.2%) discontinuations, 13 (9.92%) decreases, and nine (6.87%) increases. The mean furosemide equivalent loop dose was reduced after empagliflozin initiation (50.62 mg vs 43.13 mg; p < 0.001). Among all patients, there was a decrease in weight (p = 0.01), estimated glomerular filtration rate (p < 0.001), and hemoglobin A1c (p < 0.001). There was an increase in hemoglobin (p < 0.001), hematocrit (p < 0.001), and magnesium (p < 0.001). In the propensity score-matched cohort, there was a significant reduction from baseline in mean weight in the intervention group compared with the control group (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This hypothesis-generating study suggests that sodium-glucose cotransporter type 2 inhibitors may lower diuretic requirements, further supported by a reduction in weight in the intervention cohort.

Discordance between estimated and measured changes in plasma volume among patients with acute heart failure

Aims

In acute heart failure (AHF), changes of venous haemoglobin (Hb) concentrations, haematocrit (Hct), and estimated plasma volume (ePV) have been proposed as surrogates of decongestion. These estimates are based on the theoretical assumptions that changes of Hb concentrations and Hct are driven by the intravascular volume status and that the intravascular Hb pool remains stable. The objective of this study was to assess the relationship of changes of measured plasma volume (mPV) with changes of Hb, Hct, and ePV in AHF.

Methods and results

We studied 36 AHF patients, who received two sequential assessments of mPV, measured red cell volume (mRCV) and measured total blood volume (mTBV) (48 h apart), during the course of diuretic therapy using a novel visible fluorescent injectate (VFI) technique based on the indicator dilution principle. Changes of ePV were calculated based on the Kaplan–Hakim or Strauss formula. AHF patients receiving diuretics (median intravenous furosemide equivalent 160 mg/48 h) displayed a wide range of changes of mPV (−25.4% to +37.0%). Changes in mPV were not significantly correlated with changes of Hb concentration [Pearson's r (r) = −0.241, P = 0.157], Hct (r = −0.307, P = 0.069), ePV_{Kaplan–Hakim} (r = 0.228, P = 0.182), or ePV_Strauss (r = 0.237, P = 0.163). In contrast to theoretical assumptions, changes of mTBV were poorly correlated with changes of Hb concentrations and some patients displayed unanticipated variability of mRCV, suggesting an unstable intravascular red cell pool.

Conclusions

Changes of Hb or Hct were not reflective of directly measured changes of intravascular volume status in AHF patients. Basing clinical assessment of decongestion on changes of Hb or Hct may misguide clinical decision‐making on an individual patient level.

Renal dysfunction in cardiovascular diseases and its consequences

It is well known that the heart and kidney and their synergy is essential for hemodynamic homeostasis. Since the early XIX century it has been recognized that cardiovascular and renal diseases frequently coexist. In the nephrological field, while it is well accepted that renal diseases favor the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases, it is not always realized that cardiovascular diseases induce or aggravate renal dysfunctions, in this way further deteriorating cardiac function and creating a vicious circle. In the same clinical field, the role of venous congestion in the pathogenesis of renal dysfunction is at times overlooked. This review carefully quantifies the prevalence of chronic and acute kidney abnormalities in cardiovascular diseases, mainly heart failure, regardless of ejection fraction, and the consequences of renal abnormalities on both organs, making cardiovascular diseases a major risk factor for kidney diseases. In addition, with regard to pathophysiological aspects, we attempt to substantiate the major role of fluid overload and venous congestion, including renal venous hypertension, in the pathogenesis of acute and chronic renal dysfunction occurring in heart failure. Furthermore, we describe therapeutic principles to counteract the major pathophysiological abnormalities in heart failure complicated by renal dysfunction. Finally, we underline that the mild transient worsening of renal function after decongestive therapy is not usually associated with adverse prognosis. Accordingly, the coexistence of cardiovascular and renal diseases inevitably means mediating between preserving renal function and improving cardiac activity to reach a better outcome.

Relation between Hemoconcentration Status and Readmission Plus Mortality Rate Among Iranian Individuals with Decompensated Heart Failure

BACKGROUND

Hemoconcentration (HC) has been suggested to be a useful biomarker for determination of optimum diuretic therapy in acute heart failure (HF), but role of this factor in rehospitalization and death was still controversial. In this study, we aimed to define relation between HC and readmission and mortality rate among Iranian patients with acute HF.

METHODS

This was a prospective cohort study done from March 2017 to March 2018 using data of a HF section of Persian Registry Of cardioVascular diseasE. From a total number of 390 registered HF individuals aged 18 years or older, 69 ones showed alterations in hemoglobin (Hb) levels. Hb levels were measured at admission and discharge time. HC was defined as any increased level in Hb during hospitalization. The relation of HC with readmission and death rate was done using multiple logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard model, respectively.

RESULTS

The mean age of study population was 70.5 ± 11.9 years with the dominant percentage of male participants (66.9%). Patients showing HC during admission did not reveal any significant decreased likelihood of rehospitalization compared to negative ones. In comparison to HC negative patients, those showing increments in Hb levels had a borderline significant lower likelihood of mortality (hazard ratio: 0.82, 95% confidence interval, CI = 0.07-1.18, P = 0.08).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggested that HC was associated marginally with reduced mortality rate 6 months post HF attack and could be utilized as a useful biomarker for risk stratification of HF patients. Several prospective longitudinal population-based studies are necessary proving these associations.

Hemoconcentration is a valuable predictor of prognosis in patients with acute heart failure

The present study was designed to investigate the value of the hemoconcentration (HCT) in predicting the prognosis of patients with acute heart failure (AHF). A total of 188 patients with AHF were enrolled in the present retrospective study and divided into four groups based on their HCT values. The endpoint was either cardiac-associated death or re-hospitalization due to aggravated HF. The 2-year survival rates of patients in these four groups were compared. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was determined to evaluate the significance of HCT for assessing the prognosis of patients with AHF. Cox-proportional hazards regression models were performed to determine whether the HCT is an independent factor for predicting the prognosis of patients with AHF in comparison with other traditional predictors, including B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and creatinine. Of these 188 patients with AHF, 99 experienced aggravated cardiac HF resulting in death or re-hospitalization within 2 years. The AUC for HCT, as a prognostic criterion, was 0.610 (95% confidence interval: 0.528-0.691, P<0.001) with a sensitivity of 54.5% and a specificity of 65.2%. Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that patients with a higher HCT had a lower rate of death or re-hospitalization due to cardiogenic events (χ²=9.442, P=0.024). Cox regression analysis revealed that HCT, hemoglobin, BNP, New York Heart Association cardiac function classification and serum creatinine were independent prognostic factors in AHF. HCT may serve as a valuable predictor of prognosis in patients with AHF. Compared with that of BNP, measurement of the HCT is more convenient and economical and may be widely performed at primary hospitals.

Clinical implications of the blood urea nitrogen/creatinine ratio in heart failure and their association with haemoconcentration

Aims

The blood urea nitrogen (BUN)/creatinine ratio is a strong prognostic indicator in patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). However, the clinical impact of a high BUN/creatinine ratio at discharge with respect to renal dysfunction, neurohormonal hyperactivity, and different responsiveness to decongestion therapy remains unclear. Herein, we examined (i) the predictive value of a high BUN/creatinine ratio at discharge and (ii) its haemoconcentration‐dependent effects, in patients with ADHF.

Methods and results

The West Tokyo Heart Failure registry was a multicentre, prospective cohort registry‐based study that enrolled patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of ADHF. The endpoint was post‐discharge all‐cause death. Based on the degree of haemoconcentration, patients (n = 2090) were divided into four subcategories. In multivariate proportional hazard analyses, a higher BUN/creatinine ratio was independently associated with higher all‐cause mortality in the total population and in the extreme haemodilution (ΔHaemoglobin ≤ −0.9 g/dL) and haemoconcentration (0.8 g/dL ≤ ΔHaemoglobin) subcategories, but not in the modest haemodilution/haemoconcentration subcategories.

Conclusions

A higher BUN/creatinine ratio at discharge was independently associated with higher post‐discharge all‐cause mortality in patients with ADHF. The predictive value of a high BUN/creatinine ratio at discharge was haemoconcentration dependent and may be an unfavourable predictor in patients showing excessive haemoconcentration and haemodilution, but not in those showing modest haemoconcentration/haemodilution.

Effect on Survival of Concurrent Hemoconcentration and Increase in Creatinine During Treatment of Acute Decompensated Heart Failure

Hemoconcentration during the treatment of acute decompensated heart failure is a surrogate for plasma volume reduction and is associated with improved survival, but most definitions only allow for hemoconcentration to be determined retrospectively. An increase in serum creatinine can also be a marker of aggressive decongestion, but in isolation is not specific. Our objective was to determine if combined hemoconcentration and worsening creatinine could better identify patients that were aggressively treated and, as such, may have improved postdischarge outcomes. A total of 4,181 patients hospitalized with acute decompensated heart failure were evaluated. Those who experienced both hemoconcentration and worsening creatinine at any point had a profile consistent with aggressive in-hospital treatment and longer length of stay (p <0.01), higher loop diuretic doses (p <0.001), greater weight (p = 0.001), and net fluid loss (p <0.001) compared with the remainder of the cohort. In isolation, neither worsening creatinine (p = 0.11) nor hemoconcentration (p = 0.36) at any time were associated with improved survival. However, patients who experienced both (21%) had significantly better survival (hazard ratio 0.80, 95% confidence interval 0.69 to 0.94, pinteraction = 0.005). In conclusion, this combination of hemoconcentration and worsening creatinine, which can be determined prospectively during patient care, was associated with in-hospital parameters consistent with aggressive diuresis and improved postdischarge survival.

Pre-discharge anemia as a predictor of adverse clinical outcomes in patients with acute decompensated heart failure

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The impact of the timing of anemia during hospitalization on future clinical outcomes after surviving discharge from an index heart failure (HF) has been poorly studied in patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF).

METHODS

A total of 384 surviving patients with acute ADHF were divided into two groups: an anemia group (n = 270, 199 anemia at admission and 71 pre-discharge anemia) and a no anemia group (n = 114). All-cause mortality and HF re-hospitalization were compared between groups.

RESULTS

During the follow-up period (median, 528 days), death occurred in 60 patients (15.6%) and HF re-hospitalization occurred in 131 patients (34.1%). Overall anemia was associated with increased mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 1.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03 to 3.01; p = 0.039), but not HF re-hospitalization (HR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.59 to 1.42; p = 0.707). Pre-discharge anemia was significantly associated with increased mortality (HR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.01 to 2.82; p = 0.048), but anemia at admission did not predict increased mortality or re-hospitalization.

CONCLUSION

Pre-discharge anemia, rather than anemia at admission, was identified as an independent predictor of mortality in patients with ADHF after surviving discharge. The results of the present study suggest that the identification and optimal management of anemia during hospitalization are important in patients with ADHF.

Assessment of Discharge Readiness and Readmission Risk in Patients With Acute Decompensated Heart Failure

Failure to achieve euvolemia before discharge in patients admitted with acute heart failure (HF) syndromes has gained attention as a marker for increased readmission risk. This study assessed whether variations in discharge documentation practices reflected the readmission risk of patients admitted for decompensated HF. This was a retrospective cohort study of 100 adult patients discharged from an admission for an acute HF syndrome from May 2014 to June 2015. Characteristics at discharge were retrieved from the discharge summaries (DS). Coprimary outcomes were 30-day and 6-month composites of all-cause readmissions or emergency department visits. Mean age was 62.1 years (SD 15.3), and 56% were men. Traditional cardiovascular risk factors were common. All-cause 30-day readmission occurred in 18%, and HF-related 30-day readmission occurred in 12% of the population. A DS physical exam in support of decongestion occurred more often in those not readmitted, for example, a normal jugular venous pulse (53.2 vs 12.5%, p = 0.03). Discussion of jugular venous pulse improvement occurred more frequently in those not readmitted (8.5 vs 0%, p = 0.03). No other markers of volume status reached statistical significance. A clear statement in the DS supporting euvolemia was uncommon, but tended to occur more commonly in those not readmitted (20.7 vs 5.6%, p = 0.13). In conclusion, documenting markers of euvolemia and incorporating these markers into the DS volume status assessment was associated with a reduced rate of 30-day readmission.

Effect of canagliflozin on left ventricular diastolic function in patients with type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) greatly increases the risks of cardiovascular disease and heart failure. In particular, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction that develops from the early stages of T2DM is an important factor in the onset and exacerbation of heart failure. The effect of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors on left ventricular diastolic function has not been elucidated. We have performed the first prospective study on the effects of canagliflozin on left ventricular diastolic function in T2DM.

METHODS

This study was performed to evaluate the effects of additional treatment with canagliflozin for 3 months on left ventricular diastolic function in patients with T2DM. A total of 38 patients with T2DM were consecutively recruited for this study. Left ventricular diastolic function was assessed by echocardiography. The primary study outcome was a change in the septal E/e' as a parameter of left ventricular diastolic function.

RESULTS

A total of 37 patients (25 males and 12 females) were included in the analysis. Mean age of participants was 64.2 ± 8.1 years (mean ± SD), mean duration of diabetes was 13.5 ± 8.1 years, and mean HbA1c was 7.9 ± 0.7%. Of the participants, 86.5% had hypertension, 100% had dyslipidemia, and 32.4% had cardiovascular disease. Canagliflozin significantly improved left ventricular diastolic function (septal E/e' ratio 13.7 ± 3.5-12.1 ± 2.8, p = 0.001). Furthermore, among the various parameters that changed through the administration of canagliflozin, only changes in hemoglobin significantly correlated with changes in the septal E/e' ratio (p = 0.002). In multiple regression analysis, changes in hemoglobin were also revealed to be an independent predictive factor for changes in the septal E/e' ratio.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed for the first time that canagliflozin could improve left ventricular diastolic function within 3 months in patients with T2DM. The benefit was especially apparent in patients with substantially improved hemoglobin values. Trial registration UMIN Clinical Trials Registry UMIN000028141.

Prognostic benefit of maintaining the hemoglobin level during the acute phase in patients with severely decompensated acute heart failure

The optimum method of managing anemia during the acute phase of acute heart failure (AHF) remains to be elucidated. The data from 1109 AHF patients were enrolled in present study. The hemoglobin (Hb) levels were evaluated in all patients at admission (day 1) and 3 days after admission (day 3), and in survival discharge patients (n = 998) before discharge (pre-discharge). The serum hemoglobin levels were significantly lower on day 3 (11.2 (9.6-12.9) g/dl) than on day 1 (12.4 (10.4-14.2) g/dl) and at pre-discharge (11.6 (10.1-13.2) g/dl). A multivariate Cox regression model showed that mild anemia (11.0 ≤ Hb ≤ 12.9 g/dl, n = 316) and severe anemia (Hb ≤ 10.9 g/dl, n = 517) on day 3 were independent predictors of HF event (hazard ratio (HR) 1.542, 95% confidence interval (CI)1.070-2.221, HR 2.026, 95% CI 1.439-2.853), and severe anemia on day 3 were independent predictors of 365-day mortality (HR 2.247, 95% CI 1.376-3.670). The prognosis, including all-cause death and HF events, in patients with non-anemia on day 1 was significantly poorer in severe new-anemia patients on day 3 (n = 44) than in mild new-anemia patients on day 3 (n = 153) and non-anemia patients on day 3 (n = 252). In patients with anemia on day 1, the prognosis was significantly poorer in patients with severe anemia on day 3 (n = 190) than in those with non-anemia or mild anemia on day 3 (n = 482). The hemoglobin level after the initial treatment might be easily influenced by clinical decongestion. Successfully treated decongestion can help maintain the hemoglobin levels. It, therefore, leads to a prognostic benefit in patients with AHF. These findings might underscore the importance of hemoglobin management of the acute phase of AHF.

The top tertile of hematocrit change during hospitalization is associated with lower risk of mortality in acute heart failure patients

BACKGROUND

Hemoconcentration has been proposed as surrogate for changes in volume status among patients hospitalized with acute heart failure (AHF) and is associated with a favorable outcome. However, there is a dearth of research assessing the clinical outcomes of hospitalized patients with hemoconcentration, hemodilution and unchanged volume status.

METHODS

We enrolled 510 consecutive patients hospitalized for AHF from April 2011 to July 2015. Hematocrit (HCT) levels were measured at admission and either at discharge or on approximately the seventh day of admission. Patients were stratified by delta HCT tertitles into hemodilution (ΔHCT ≤ - 1.6%), no change (NC, -1.6% < ΔHCT ≤1.5%) and hemoconcentration (ΔHCT >1.5%) groups. The endpoint was all-cause death, with a median follow-up duration of 18.9 months.

RESULTS

Hemoconcentration was associated with lower left ventricle ejection fraction, as compared with NC and hemodilution groups, while renal function at entry, New York Heart Association class IV, and in-hospital worsening renal function (WRF) were not significantly different across the three groups. After multivariable adjustment, hemoconcentration had a lower risk of mortality as compared with hemodilution [hazard ratio (HR) 0.39, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.24-0.63, P < 0.001], or NC (HR 0.54, 95% CI 0.33-0.88, P = 0.015], while hemodilution and NC did not have significantly differ in mortality (HR 0.72, 95% CI 0.48-1.10, P = 0.130).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients hospitalized with AHF, an increased HCT during hospitalization is associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality than a decreased or unchanged HCT. Furthermore, all-cause mortality does not differ significantly between patients with unchanged and decreased HCT values.

Temporal Trends of Hospitalized Patients with Heart Failure in Korea

Heart failure (HF) is an important cardiovascular disease because of its increasing prevalence, significant morbidity, high mortality and rapidly expanding health care costs. The number of HF patients is increasing worldwide and Korea is no exception. Temporal trends of four representative Korean hospitalized HF registries-the Hallym HF study, the Korean Multicenter HF study, the Korean Heart Failure (KorHF) registry and the Korean Acute Heart Failure (KorAHF) registry showed mild survival improvement reflecting overall HF patient care development in Korea despite the increased severity of enrolled patients with higher incidence of multiple comorbidities. Moreover, device therapies such as implantable cardioverter defibrillator and cardiac resynchronization therapy and definitive treatment such as heart transplantation have been increasing in Korea as well. To prevent HF burden increase, it is essential to set up long term effective prevention strategies for better control of ischemic heart disease, hypertension and diabetes, which might be risk factors for HF development. Moreover, proper HF guidelines, performance measures, and performance improvement programs might be necessary to limit HF burden as well.

Evaluation of the predictors of readmission in Korean patients with heart failure

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE

Various factors contribute to the high rate of readmission among patients hospitalized with heart failure (HF). Determination of these factors is fundamental to identify potential targets for intervention in hospitalized patients.

METHODS

The retrospective cohort study used a large national insurance database to identify episodes of HF. Clinical information up to 12 months from the index hospitalization was obtained. Depending on their outcome, eligible patients were classified into a 30-day readmission group after discharge or a non-readmission group. Potential predictors of 30-day readmission were categorized by patient, drug therapy and health system utilization factors.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Heart failure was identified in 19 128 inpatients. Of these, 27·6% were readmitted within 30 days after discharge. The mean Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) score was 5·2 ± 2·9 for the readmission group and 4·3 ± 2·5 for the non-readmission group. The strongest predictors included paralysis [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2·27, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·97-2·62], followed by metastatic cancer (AOR 2·22, 95% CI 1·81-2·72) and loop diuretic therapy (AOR 1·52, 95% CI 1·29-1·79). A prescription of ACE inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker at discharge was associated with a 17% decreased risk (AOR 0·83, 95% CI 0·77-0·89).

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSIONS

Hospitalized patients with HF have a 30-day all-cause readmission rate exceeding a quarter. Post-discharge care should focus on patients with advanced age, acuity of admission, enrolled medical aid, hospitalization exceeding 14 days, higher CCI score, more than 10 prescription drugs at discharge, presence of several comorbidities and loop diuretic therapy, which are independent predictors for 30-day readmission.

The beneficial prognostic value of hemoconcentration is negatively affected by hyponatremia in acute decompensated heart failure: Data from the Korean Heart Failure (KorHF) Registry

BACKGROUND

Hemoconcentration (HC) is associated with reduced mortality, whereas hyponatremia (HN) has been associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes in patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). We sought to determine if the presence of HN influences the beneficial prognostic value of HC in ADHF patients.

METHODS

We analyzed 2046 ADHF patients from the Korean Heart Failure Registry. We defined HC as an increased hemoglobin level from admission to discharge, and HN as sodium <135mmol/L at admission. Our primary composite endpoint was all-cause mortality and/or HF re-hospitalization.

RESULTS

Overall, HC occurred in 889 (43.5%) patients and HN was observed in 418 patients (20.4%). HC offered higher 2-year event-free survival in patients without HN (73.2% vs. 63.1% for no-HC, log-rank p<0.001), but not in patients with HN (54.2% vs. 58.7% for no-HC, log-rank p=0.879, p for interaction=0.003). In a multiple Cox proportional hazard analysis, HC without HN conferred a significant event-free survival benefit (hazard ratio: 0.703, 95% confidence interval 0.542-0.912, p=0.008) over no-HC with HN.

CONCLUSIONS

Only HC occurring in ADHF without HN was associated with improved clinical outcomes. These results provide further support for the importance of HN as a challenging therapeutic target in ADHF patients.

Discordance Between Hemoconcentration and Clinical Assessment of Decongestion in Acute Heart Failure

INTRODUCTION

Hemoconcentration has been proposed as a surrogate for successful decongestion in acute heart failure (AHF). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between hemoconcentration and clinical measures of congestion.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We studied 704 patients with AHF and volume overload. A composite congestion score was calculated at admission and discharge, with a score >1 denoting persistent congestion. Hemoconcentration was defined as any increase in hematocrit and hemoglobin levels between baseline and discharge. Of 276 patient with hemoconcentration, 66 (23.9%) had persistent congestion. Conversely, of 428 patients without hemoconcentration, 304 (71.0%) had no clinical evidence of congestion. Mean hematocrit changes were similar with and without persistent congestion (0.18 ± 3.4% and -0.19 ± 3.6%, respectively; P = .17). There was no correlation between the decline in congestion score and the change in hematocrit (P = .93). Hemoconcentration predicted lower mortality (hazard ratio 0.70, 95% confidence interval 0.54-0.90; P = .006). Persistent congestion was associated with increased mortality independent of hemoconcentration (Ptrend = .0003 for increasing levels of congestion score).

CONCLUSIONS

Hemoconcentration is weakly related to congestion as assessed clinically. Persistent congestion at discharge is associated with increased mortality regardless of hemoconcentration. Hemoconcentration is associated with better outcome but cannot substitute for clinically derived estimates of congestion to determine whether decongestion has been achieved.

In-Hospital Diuretic Agent Use and Post-Discharge Clinical Outcomes in Patients Hospitalized for Worsening Heart Failure: Insights From the EVEREST Trial

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to characterize the association between decongestion therapy and 30-day outcomes in patients hospitalized for heart failure (HF).

BACKGROUND

Loop diuretic agents are commonly prescribed for the treatment of symptomatic congestion in patients hospitalized for HF, but the association between loop diuretic agent dose response and post-discharge outcomes has not been well characterized.

METHODS

Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the association among average loop diuretic agent dose, congestion status at discharge, and 30-day post-discharge all-cause mortality and HF rehospitalization in 3,037 subjects hospitalized with worsening HF enrolled in the EVEREST (Efficacy of Vasopressin Antagonism in Heart Failure: Outcome Study With Tolvaptan) study.

RESULTS

In univariate analysis, subjects exposed to high-dose diuretic agents (≥160 mg/day) had greater risk for the combined outcome than subjects exposed to low-dose diuretic agents (18.9% vs. 10.0%; hazard ratio: 2.00; 95% confidence interval: 1.64 to 2.46; p < 0.0001). After adjustment for pre-specified covariates of disease severity, the association between diuretic agent dose and outcomes was not significant (hazard ratio: 1.11; 95% confidence interval: 0.89 to 1.38; p = 0.35). Of the 3,011 subjects with clinical assessments of volume status, 2,063 (69%) had little or no congestion at hospital discharge. Congestion status at hospital discharge did not modify the association between diuretic agent exposure and the combined endpoint (p for interaction = 0.84).

CONCLUSIONS

Short-term diuretic agent exposure during hospital treatment for worsening HF was not an independent predictor of 30-day all-cause mortality and HF rehospitalization in multivariate analysis. Congestion status at discharge did not modify the association between diuretic agent dose and clinical outcomes.

Heart failure: SGLT2 inhibitors and heart failure -- clinical implications

The latest findings from the EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial show a 34% reduction in hospitalization for heart failure or cardiovascular death in patients receiving empagliflozin, a sodium/glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, compared with placebo. These outstanding results call for discussion of the clinical implications, and in-depth studies of the mechanisms of action of SGLT2 inhibitors.

Prognostic Factors in Hospitalization for Heart Failure in Asia

The hospitalized heart failure (HF) population is becoming a significant economic burden to Asian countries because of the growing elderly population, increased prevalence of HF, and recurrent rehospitalization. A targeted treatment strategy is needed with prognostic factors that can reduce mortality or rehospitalization after discharge. The accepted prognostic factors include age, low systolic blood pressure, ischemic heart disease, reduced left ventricular function, hyponatremia, and renal dysfunction. Prognostic factors for clinical outcomes in hospitalized patients with HF may be different in Asian people. Further research leading to better understanding of the characteristics of Asian patients hospitalized with HF is warranted.

Clinical benefit of spironolactone in patients with acute decompensated heart failure and severe renal dysfunction: Data from the Korean Heart Failure Registry

BACKGROUNDS

We investigated the relationship between spironolactone use and all-cause mortality in acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) patients with severe renal dysfunction. The clinical benefit of spironolactone in the treatment of heart failure (HF) has been described in several large randomized clinical trials. However, its clinical benefits have not been studied in hospitalized ADHF patients with severe renal dysfunction (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] <45 mL/min per 1.73 m(2)).

METHODS AND RESULTS

We retrospectively analyzed data from the Korean Heart Failure Registry. We included 1,035 ADHF patients with severe renal dysfunction. In Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, all-cause mortality in the spironolactone-treated group was significantly lower than that in the nonspironolactone group (18.1% vs 24.9%, respectively, log rank P = .028). However, spironolactone use was not an independent predictor after adjusting other HF risk factors (hazard ratio 0.974, 95% CI 0.681-1.392, P = .884) and after propensity score matching (P = .115). In subgroup analysis, the clinical benefit of spironolactone use was preserved in women, prehospital spironolactone use, the chronic kidney disease stage 3b (eGFR 30-44 mL/min per 1.73 m(2)), and the appropriate spironolactone use (eGFR ≥30 mL/min per 1.73 m(2) and K ≤5.0 mmol/L).

CONCLUSION

The spironolactone therapy was not beneficial in ADHF patients with severe renal dysfunction after multivariable adjusting and propensity score matching. However, we reassured the current HF guidelines for spironolactone use and the clinical benefit in chronic kidney disease stage 3b should be assessed in future clinical trial.

Hemoconcentration-guided diuresis in heart failure

One quarter of patients hospitalized for heart failure are readmitted within 30 days, perhaps related to ineffective decongestion. Limited data exist guiding the extent and duration of diuresis in patients hospitalized for heart failure. The objective of this review was to determine the prognostic value of hemoconcentration, or the relative increase in the cellular elements in blood, in patients hospitalized for heart failure and to clarify its role in guiding inpatient diuretic practices. Six post hoc retrospective studies from 2010 to 2013 were available for review. Hemoconcentration was consistently associated with markers of aggressive fluid removal, including higher diuretic dosing and reduced body weight, but increased risk of in-hospital worsening renal function. Despite this, hemoconcentration was associated with improved short-term mortality and rehospitalization. Hemoconcentration is a practical, readily available, noninvasive, economically feasible strategy to help guide diuresis and monitor congestion relief in patients hospitalized for worsening heart failure. Clinicians should strongly consider using changes in hemoglobin and hematocrit as an adjunct to other available measures of decongestion and clinical acumen in inpatient heart failure care.

A novel approach to drug development in heart failure: towards personalized medicine

Evidence-based treatment has succeeded in improving clinical outcomes in heart failure. Nevertheless, morbidity, mortality, and the economic burden associated with the syndrome remain unsatisfactorily high. Most landmark heart failure studies included broad study populations, and thus current recommendations dictate standardized, universal therapy. While most patients included in recent trials benefit from this background treatment, exceeding this already significant gain has proven to be a challenge. The early identification of responders and nonresponders to treatment could result in improved therapeutic effectiveness, while reduction of unnecessary exposure may limit harmful and unpleasant side effects. In this review, we examine the potential value of currently available information on differential responses to heart failure therapy-a first step toward personalized medicine in the management of heart failure.