Key result
Baseline potassium abnormalities show no association with HF readmissions or mortality vs normokalemia.
Why the study?
Abnormal serum potassium levels are common in HFrEF and limit the use of prognostically beneficial therapies, prompting evaluation of their medium- to long-term prognostic impact.
Do baseline potassium abnormalities impact heart failure readmissions, heart failure mortality, and all-cause mortality in patients with HFrEF?
Cohort (n=409)
No
Do baseline potassium abnormalities impact heart failure readmissions, heart failure mortality, and all-cause mortality in patients with HFrEF?
Absolute Event Rate: 46% vs 42.9%
p-value: p=0.517
In a real-world cohort of HFrEF patients, baseline potassium abnormalities identified different clinical phenotypes but were not independently associated with worse long-term clinical outcomes or reduced treatment optimization.
Introduction: Abnormal serum potassium levels are a common issue in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), limiting the use of prognostically beneficial therapies. The primary aim of this study was to characterise the HFrEF population according to baseline potassium levels and to assess their impact on medium- to long-term prognosis. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on a cohort of consecutive patients with HFrEF recruited at our centre. Patients were classified according to baseline serum potassium levels into: Group 1 (<3.5 mEq/L), Group 2 (3.5–5.0 mEq/L), and Group 3 (>5.0 mEq/L). Prognostic impact was assessed in terms of HF readmissions, HF mortality and all-cause mortality. Results: A total of 409 patients were analysed. The median age was 69 years [IQR 59–77], with a predominance of male patients (74.1%). There were 26 patients (6.36%) with hypokalaemia, 365 (89.24%) with normokalaemia, and 18 (4.4%) with hyperkalaemia. Group 1 showed a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus (69.2% vs. 47.4% vs. 33.4%; p = 0.043) and a greater proportion of patients with ≥2 previous admissions for HF (25% vs. 10.5% vs. 0%; p = 0.008). No differences were observed regarding echocardiographic parameters, markers of congestion, or HFrEF treatment. After a median follow-up of 60 months, no significant differences were found between groups in rates of HF readmissions, HF mortality and all-cause mortality. Conclusions: Patients with hypokalaemia exhibited a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus and previous HF admissions. In our population, no differences were observed between groups in the use of prognostically beneficial therapies or in outcomes in terms of HF rehospitalisations and mortality.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Roldán-Guerra et al. (2026) conducted a cohort in Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) (n=409). Baseline serum potassium abnormalities (hypokalaemia or hyperkalaemia) vs. Normokalaemia (3.5-5.0 mEq/L) was evaluated on Heart failure readmissions (p=0.517). Baseline serum potassium abnormalities were not associated with significant differences in heart failure readmissions, heart failure mortality, or all-cause mortality compared to normokalaemia.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: