Summary
Clinical profile of patients with acute heart failure in the emergency department: preliminary data from the EAHFE (Epidemiology Acute Heart Failure Emergency) study
Affiliation of the authors
DOI
Quote
Llorens Soriano P, Martín-Sánchez FJ, González Armengol JJ, Herrero Puente P, Jacob J, Bella Álvarez A, et al. Clinical profile of patients with acute heart failure in the emergency department: preliminary data from the EAHFE (Epidemiology Acute Heart Failure Emergency) study. Emergencias. 2008;20:154-63
Summary
Objective: To assess the clinical profile and treatment of patients with acute heart failure
(AHF) admitted to Hospital Emergency Departments (HED).
Methods: All patents with a diagnosis of AF admitted to 10 Spanish HEDs in April 15th
to May 15th 2007 were included in this descriptive crossover multicent study.
Results: 1017 patients were included in the study the mean age was 77 years; 52.1%
were women. 60.6% patients showed symptoms of systemic and pulmonary congestion
at admission. Before presenting to HED 88.2% patients were receiving diuretics,
55.9% ACE inhibitors and/or angotensin-II receptor antagonists (ARA) and 24.7% betablockers.
At the HED, 84.2% received intravenous (IV) diuretics (17.2% in continuous
perfusion), 25.9% IV nitroglycerine, 3.8% inotropic treatment, and 4.6% non-invasive
ventilation support; 70% were hospitalized. Among the patients evaluated 44.2% remained
in the Observation (OU) or Short Stay Units (SSU).
Conclusions: AHF is a frequent pathology at HED commonly associated with elderly
people with important concomitant diseases; mild to moderate congestive symptoms
are predominant. Most patients are usually managed at HED related units (OU or SSU).
Clinical guidelines and specific HED protocols on AHF and patient registers as described
above are mandatory to improve the knowledge about the current situation and management
of AHF patients in the HED.