[Cardiac failure in Chilean hospitals: results of the National Registry of Heart Failure, ICARO].
BACKGROUND
Heart failure (HF) is a major public health problem. In Chile hospitalized patients due to HF have not been characterized.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate clinical profile and outcome of patients hospitalized for heart failure in Chilean hospitals.


METHODS
Prospective registry of 14 centers. Patients hospitalized for HF in functional class III and IV were included. Epidemiological and clinical data, functional class, type of presentation, decompensation cause, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, treatment and evolution were registered.


RESULTS
Three hundred seventy two patients aged 69 +/- 13 years old, 59% men, were assessed. The main etiologies of HF were ischemic in 31.6%, hypertensive in 35.2%, valvular in 14.9% and idiopathic in 7.4%. There was a history of hypertension 69%, diabetes in 35%, myocardial infarction in 22%, atrial fibrillation (AF) in 28%. The presentation form of HF was chronic decompensated in 86%, acute in 12%, refractory in 2%. The causes of decompensation were non compliance with diet or medical prescriptions in 28%, infections in 22% and AF 17%. ECG showed AF in 36% and left bundle branch block in 16%. Echocardiography was performed in 52% of the patients, 69% had left ventricular ejection fraction <40%. On admission, 39% received angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, 15% beta-blocker, 25% digoxin, 16% spironolactone and 53% furosemide. The mean hospital stay was 111 +/- 10 days and mortality was 4.5%.


CONCLUSIONS
The elderly is the age group most commonly admitted to hospital due to HF. The main etiologies were ischemic and hypertensive. The main causes for decompensations were noncompliance with diet or medical prescriptions and infections. A significant proportion had a relatively well preserved ventricular systolic function.
Castro
Pablo
P
Departamento Estudios Multićentricos Sociedad Chilena de Cardiología. pcastro@med.puc.cl
Vukasovic
José Luis
JL
Garcés
Eduardo
E
Sepúlveda
Luis
L
Ferrada
Marcela
M
Alvarado
Sergio
S
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002677:Chile / Q000453:epidemiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015985:Precipitating Factors; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors