Characteristics and management of acute heart failure patients in a single university hospital center.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the causes of acute heart failure, complications, management, and outcomes.


METHODS
A total of 200 patients with diagnosed de novo acute heart failure (27.5%) or worsening chronic heart failure (72.5%) were treated at the Department of Cardiology, Hospital of Kaunas University of Medicine, which was participating in the Euro Heart Failure Survey-II (EHFS-II). The patients were divided into five groups: 1) chronic decompensated heart failure (66.0%); 2) pulmonary edema (13.0%); 3) hypertensive heart failure (7.5%); 4) cardiogenic shock (11.0%); and 5) right heart failure (2.5%).


RESULTS
Hypertensive and coronary heart diseases were the most common underlying conditions of acute heart failure. Noncompliance with the prescribed medications was present as the most frequent precipitating factor in more than half of the cases. Left ventricular ejection fraction of >45% was found in 28.64% of cases. Intravenous diuretics (74.5%), nitrates (44.0%), and heparin (71.0%) were the most widely used in the acute phase. At discharge from hospital, 96.69% of patients were given diuretics; 80.11%, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors; and 62.43%, beta-blockers. The mean duration of inhospital stay was 13 days; death rate was 9.5%: after 3 months and 12 months, it was 7.5% and 11.5%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Preserved systolic function, multiple concomitant diseases, and high mortality rates were observed in a substantial proportion of the patients hospitalized due to acute heart failure. The management of the patients in a university hospital center was performed in accordance with the international guidelines.
Venskutonyte
Laura
L
Department of Cardiology, Kaunas University of Medicine, Kaunas, Lithuania. lauvensk@gmail.com
Molyte
Irena
I
Ablonskyte-Dūdoniene
Rūta
R
Mizariene
Vaida
V
Kavoliūniene
Ausra
A
D000208:Acute Disease; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004232:Diuretics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006306:Health Surveys; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006760:Hospitalization; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000209:etiology; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012770:Shock, Cardiogenic / Q000209:etiology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000925:Anticoagulants; D004232:Diuretics; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D006493:Heparin