Patterns of intensive care unit admissions in patients hospitalized for heart failure. Issue 5 (May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chioncel, Ovidiu; Ambrosy, Andrew P.; Filipescu, Daniela; Bubenek, Serban; Vinereanu, Dragos; Petris, Antoniu; Collins, Sean P.; Macarie, Cezar; Gheorghiade, Mihai
• Is Part Of: Journal of cardiovascular medicine. Volume 16:Issue 5(2015:May)
• Publication Date: 2015-05
• Subjects: Cardiology -- Periodicals; Cardiovascular system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Cardiology -- Periodicals; Cardiovascular Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.1005
• DOI: 10.2459/JCM.0000000000000030
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1558-2027

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec> <title>Aim</title> <p>The present study aims to describe the epidemiology, baseline clinical characteristics, in-hospital management, and outcome of patients hospitalized for heart failure admitted directly or transferred to the ICU.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Methods and results</title> <p>The Romanian Acute Heart Failure Syndromes (RO-AHFS) registry prospectively enrolled 3224 consecutive patients between January 2008 and May 2009 admitted with a primary diagnosis of heart failure. Participants were classified by ICU admission status (i.e. ICU+/ICU–). Independent clinical predictors of ICU admission and in-hospital mortality were identified using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Overall, 10.7% of patients required ICU level care, 32% as a direct ICU admission, with 68% as an ICU transfer during hospitalization. Patients admitted to the ICU had a mean age of 68.1 ± 11.3 years, 61% were men, 67% had an ischemic cause, and 44% presented with de-novo heart failure. ICU+ patients more frequently presented with low SBP and pulse pressure and abnormal renal function. Mechanical ventilation was required in 32.7% and intravenous inotropes were administered to 56.7% of ICU+ patients. ICU+ patients had higher in-hospital mortality compared to ICU− patients (17.3 vs. 6.5%). Patients admitted directly to the ICU had a 15.3% mortality rate compared to 18.4% in those transferred after admission. Age, serum sodium, SBP below 110 mmHg, and left-ventricular ejection fraction less than 45% were predictive of ICU admission, whereas for ICU+ patients, age, vasopressor, and mechanical ventilation utilization were predictive of mortality.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Patients admitted directly or transferred to the ICU are at a high risk of in-hospital mortality. Clinical variables commonly measured at the time of admission may facilitate disposition decision-making including early triage to the ICU.</p> </sec> </abstract>