[Retrospective study of hospitalizations for heart failure in elderly patients in a cardiology service of a general hospital center].
The results of a retrospective study of patients over 70 years of age admitted to the cardiology department of Meaux Hospital for cardiac failure in 1997 are reported. The cases of 143 patients were analysed with respect to two age groups: 70-79 years, and over 80 years of age. The principal aetiology of cardiac failure in all ages was ischaemic heart disease. Hypertensive heart disease was observed in younger patients and valvular heart disease in the more elderly. No significant gender differences were observed in those affected by this pathology or by left ventricular systolic or diastolic dysfunction between the younger and older patients, men having more systolic dysfunction than women. The main causal factor of decompensation in all ages was supraventricular arrhythmias. From the therapeutic point of view, the prescription of ACE inhibitors was relatively common but at low doses. Re-hospitalisation for cardiac failure was common and observed mainly in patients with low ejection fractions. The average hospital stay was 12.58 days. The hospital mortality was high: 15%. Two year survival was 41% with no difference between patients with systolic or diastolic dysfunction. Pluridisciplinary management should reduce the number of re-hospitalisation, improve the quality of life and, perhaps, improve survival.
Zumer-Meulenbelt
A
A
Service de cardiologie, centre hospitalier de Meaux, 6-8, rue Saint-Fiacre, 77100 Meaux.
Joubert
A
A
Lefort
J F
JF
Perchet
H
H
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D017052:Hospital Mortality / Q000639:trends; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011379:Prognosis; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors