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.

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