Clinical course and predictive value of congestion during hospitalization in patients admitted for worsening signs and symptoms of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: findings from the EVEREST trial

• Aims Signs and symptoms of congestion are the most common cause for hospitalization for heart failure (HHF). The clinical course and prognostic value of congestion during HHF has not been systemically characterized. Methods and results A post hoc analysis was performed of the placebo group (n = 2061) of the EVEREST trial, which enrolled patients within 48 h of admission (median approximately 24 h) for worsening HF with an EF 3. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and amino terminal-proBNP, respectively, decreased from 734 (313, 1523) pg/mL and 4857 (2251, 9642) pg/mL at baseline to 477 (199, 1079) pg/mL, and 2834 (1218, 6075) pg/mL at discharge/Day 7. A CCS at discharge was associated with increased risk (HR/point CCS, 95% CI) for a subset of endpoints at 30 days (HHF: 1.06, 0.95-1.19; ACM: 1.34, 1.14-1.58; and ACM + HHF: 1.13, 1.03-1.25) and all outcomes for the overall study period (HHF: 1.07, 1.01-1.14; ACM: 1.16, 1.09-1.24; and ACM + HHF 1.11, 1.06-1.17). Patients with a CCS of 0 at discharge experienced HHF of 26.2% and ACM of 19.1% during the follow-up. Conclusion Among patients admitted for worsening signs and symptoms of HF and reduced EF, congestion improves substantially during hospitalization in response to standard therapy alone. However, patients with absent or minimal resting signs and symptoms at discharge still experienced a high mortality and readmission rate.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine (hsv//eng)

Keyword

chronic heart failure

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)