Congestive heart failure complicating non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome: incidence, predictors, and
Shamir R Mehta1, John W Eikelboom, Catherine Demers
1Department of Medicine, Mc Master University, Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, ON, Canada. smehta@mcmaster.ca
Insights
Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a common complication in non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Developing CHF in ACS patients significantly increases risks of death and new myocardial infarction (MI), yet invasive management is less frequent.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Limited data exist on congestive heart failure (CHF) incidence and significance in non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (ACS).
- Understanding CHF development in ACS is crucial for risk stratification and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence, predictors, and clinical outcomes of CHF in patients with non-ST segment elevation ACS.
- To analyze the association between CHF development and subsequent adverse events and interventions.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of patients with unstable angina or non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) from the OASIS-2 trial.
- Diagnosis of CHF based on clinical and radiographic features, with 6-month follow-up.
- Identification of independent predictors and assessment of clinical outcomes, including death, new MI, and interventions.
Main Results:
- 4.9% of patients developed CHF within a week, and 6.3% within 6 months.
- Independent predictors included older age, female sex, diabetes, prior MI, prior CHF, and NSTEMI.
- CHF development was associated with increased risk of death (OR 3.4), new MI (OR 2.8), and intra-aortic balloon pump use (OR 5.4).
Conclusions:
- Congestive heart failure is a frequent complication of non-ST segment elevation ACS with significant adverse outcomes.
- Patients with ACS who develop CHF face a worse prognosis, including higher mortality and reinfarction rates.
- Despite increased risk, patients with ACS and CHF are less likely to receive invasive management like cardiac catheterization or revascularization.
Abstract:
There are limited data regarding the incidence and clinical significance of congestive heart failure (CHF) in patients with non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (ACS). The objectives of this study were to examine the incidence, predictors, and clinical outcomes in patients with ACS without ST elevation who develop CHF. We studied patients with unstable angina or non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) randomized to hirudin or unfractionated heparin in the Organisation to Assess Strategies for Ischemic Syndromes (OASIS-2) trial. The diagnosis of CHF was based on a combination of clinical and radiographic features. Patients were followed for 6 months. Of 10 141 randomized patients, 501 (4.9%) developed CHF within the first week and 643 (6.3%) during 6 months of followup. Independent predictors for the development of CHF were older age, female sex, diabetes, prior MI, prior CHF, and NSTEMI at presentation. Compared with patients who did not develop CHF, patients who developed CHF were at increased risk of death (odds ratio (OR) 3.4, 95% CI 2.7-4.3), new MI (OR 2.8, 95% CI 2.2-3.6), and the need for intra-aortic balloon pump insertion (OR 5.4, 95% CI 3.5-8.4) at 7 days and 6 months. There was no increase in use of cardiac catheterization (OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.7-1.0) or revascularization (OR 0.9, 95% CI 0.7-1.1) in patients who developed CHF. CHF is a common complication in patients presenting with non-ST segment elevation ACS and is strongly associated with adverse clinical outcomes including new MI and death. Despite this worse prognosis, patients with ACS developing CHF are less likely to be referred for invasive management.
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