A late-breaking study (RELAX-AHF, PROTECT) presented in Athens at the ESC's Heart Failure Congress 2014 says that worsening symptoms and signs of heart failure (WHF) in patients admitted to a hospital is a common sign of treatment failure and can lead to long-term consequences for the patient, including longer length of hospitalization and a higher risk for readmission and death.
Heart failure is the most common reason for admission to hospital in people over 65 years old and affects millions of people each year. Research has shown that the outcomes of patients admitted with Acute Heart Failure (AHF) are dire with significant time spent in the hospital and high rates of readmissions or death within 6 months. Currently available therapies such as i.v. diuretics and vasodilators, may relieve some of the symptoms of AHF including dyspnoea, but most probably do not affect short term outcomes.
Congestive Heart Failure
Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a condition in which the heart fails to work adequately as a pump that can deliver oxygen rich blood to the body.
"Worsening heart failure is a clinical event occurring during an admission for acute heart failure defined as worsening of the symptoms and signs that brought the patient to the hospital requiring additional intravenous or mechanical therapy," said Beth Davison, lead author on the RELAX-AHF study and vice president of Momentum Research Inc. "It prolongs the hospital stay and is associated with increased risk for heart failure readmission within 2 months and death within 6 months. Preventing this early event would not only reduce the patient's suffering during the admission but possibly also reduce its longer-term consequences."
Diet from Crete for Healthy Heart
Mediterranean diets, special attention has been given to the traditional Greek Cretan diet. It emphasises the consumption of olive oil, whole grains, pulses, wild greens, herbs and fruits.
The association of WHF with these outcomes remained robust after adjustment for changes in these markers at day 2 on top of adjustment for baseline characteristics. The association of WHF with mortality was significant regardless of what therapy was given for WHF, although patients who needed IV inotropes or mechanical support had higher mortality.
"Because WHF is associated with more adverse outcome physicians should monitor closely patients who develop WHF during admission," said Dr. Davison. "As suggested by the results of the RELAX-AHF study, future therapy may reduce the occurrence of WHF and some of its downstream effects."
Source: Eurekalert
Congenital Heart Disease
Heart diseases that are present at birth are called " Congenital heart diseases".
 Heart AttackHeart attack is the death of the heart muscle due to loss of blood supply. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Other names for heart attack include acute myocardial infarction, coronary thrombosis, and coronary occlusion. | Advertisement
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