SHORT TERM MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY FOLLOW UP OF NEWLY DIAGNOSED SYSTOLIC HEART FAILURE PATIENTS AFTER THEIR FIRST ADMISSION

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to follow up the clinical course of systolic heart failure patients for three months after their first admission because of heart failure, including morbidity and mortality. Methodology: 49 patients were admitted to our police hospital in the period from th th 7 October 2008 to 7 March 2009 with verified heart failure depending on Framingham criteria and whose left ventricular ejection fraction < 45% evaluated echocardiographically within 24 hours of admission. They were prospectively followed up for 3 months. Results: Coronary artery disease was the main cause of heart failure (75.6%). Hypertension was present in (67.3%). Mean length of stay during the first admission was 11.8 ± 5.5 days. Mitral regurge was highly prevalent and frequent premature ventricular contactions were the most common complication occurred. Atrial fibrillation was present in 24.5% of patients. The 1 and 3 months mortality rates were 4.1 and 6.1%, respectively. Mortality rate was higher in elderly patients > 70 years, low systolic blood pressure, low diastolic blood pressure, and high blood urea patients. 30.4% of the 46 survivors experienced at least one hospital readmission during follow-up. Readmission was associated more with the following variables; low left ventricular ejection fraction, poor compliance with diet and medication, and high RBS. Conclusion: Despite the advances in treatment and diagnostic procedures, newly diagnosed heart failure still carries a grave prognosis. Morbidiy and mortality rates are still high.