Infection-related hospital admissions in heart failure patients were associated with significantly increased 30-day mortality compared to non-infectious admissions (13% vs. 8%).
Cohort (n=9,335)
No
Does infection-related hospital admission increase 30-day mortality in heart failure patients compared to admissions for other indications?
Infection-related hospitalizations are common in heart failure patients and are associated with significantly higher 30-day mortality compared to non-infection admissions, particularly for sepsis and respiratory infections.
Absolute Event Rate: 13% vs 8%
p-value: p=<0.0001
BACKGROUND: Infections are one of the most common causes for hospitalization of patients with heart failure (HF). Yet, little is known regarding the prevalence and predictors of different types of acute infections as well as their impact on outcome among this growing population. METHODS AND RESULTS: We identified all patients aged 50 or older with a major diagnosis of HF and at least one echocardiography examination who had been hospitalized over a 10-year period (January 2000 and December 2009). Infection-associated admissions were identified according to discharge diagnoses. Among 9, 335 HF patients, 3530 (38%) were hospitalized at least once due to infections. The most frequent diagnoses were respiratory infection (52. 6%) and sepsis/bacteremia (23. 6%) followed by urinary (15. 7%) and skin and soft tissue infections (7. 8%). Hospitalizations due to infections compared to other indications were associated with increased 30-day mortality (13% vs. 8%, p<0. 0001). These higher mortality rates were predominately related to respiratory infections (OR 1. 28 95% CI 1. 09, 1. 5) and sepsis (OR 3. 13 95% CI 2. 6, 3. 7). Important predictors for these serious infections included female gender, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, past myocardial infarction and echocardiography-defined significant right (RV) but not left ventricular dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: Major infection-related hospitalizations are frequent among patients with HF and are associated with increased mortality rates. Elderly female patients with multiple comorbidities and those with severe RV dysfunction are at higher risk for these infections.
Alon et al. (Fri,) conducted a cohort in Heart Failure (n=9,335). Infection-related hospital admission vs. Non-infection related hospital admission was evaluated on 30-day mortality (p=<0.0001). Infection-related hospital admissions in heart failure patients were associated with significantly increased 30-day mortality compared to non-infectious admissions (13% vs. 8%).