Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 18, 2026

Cutoff Value of Phase Angle by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis at Admission as a Prognostic Factor in Patients with Acute Heart Failure
05:16

Cutoff Value of Phase Angle by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis at Admission as a Prognostic Factor in Patients with Acute Heart Failure

Published on: June 10, 2025

Clinical characteristics and mortality of heart failure. INCAex study

D Fernández-Bergés1, L Consuegra-Sánchez, F J Félix-Redondo

  • 1Sección Cardiología, Departamento de Medicina Interna, Hospital Don Benito-Villanueva, Badajoz, España. polonibo@gmail.com

Revista Clinica Espanola
|September 18, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Mortality from decompensated heart failure declined over a decade, despite an aging patient population. Age, diabetes, and chronic renal failure predicted mortality, while oral anticoagulation showed protective effects.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Public Health
  • Geriatrics

Background:

  • Heart failure represents a significant burden on healthcare expenditure and is a leading cause of cardiovascular death.
  • Understanding trends in clinical features and prognostic factors is crucial for improving patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the evolution of clinical characteristics and prognostic factors in patients hospitalized for decompensated heart failure over a 10-year period.
  • To assess changes in patient demographics, treatment patterns, and mortality rates.

Main Methods:

  • An observational, retrospective, single-center study was conducted.
  • Consecutive patients admitted for decompensated heart failure between 2000 and 2009 were included.
  • Data were analyzed across four 30-month periods to identify trends.

Main Results:

  • A total of 2220 patients (mean age 76.3 years, 54% female) were studied.
  • Significant increases were observed in patients over 75 years and in the prescription of beta-blockers, statins, and oral anticoagulants.
  • Hospital mortality decreased from 13% to 8%, and one-year mortality decreased from 30% to 23%.

Conclusions:

  • Despite an aging population, overall mortality in decompensated heart failure patients has significantly decreased over the decade.
  • Independent predictors of one-year mortality included advanced age, diabetes, and chronic renal failure.
  • Oral anticoagulation emerged as a protective factor against mortality.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Pathophysiology of Heart Failure01:17

Pathophysiology of Heart Failure

Heart failure (HF) is a progressive syndrome involving ventricles that leads to inadequate cardiac output. It can be classified based on location and output or ejection fraction. Ejection fraction (EF) is an essential measurement in the diagnosis and surveillance of HF. Reduced EF corresponds to systolic heart failure (HFrEF). However, HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is becoming increasingly prevalent. Also known as diastolic HF, this form of HF is related to aging. The...
Heart Failure IV: Classification and Diagnostic Evaluation01:30

Heart Failure IV: Classification and Diagnostic Evaluation

Heart failure can be classified in various ways, with the most common classifications based on physical activity limitations, disease progression, severity, and treatment strategies.The Functional Classification of Heart Failure divides patients into four categories based on physical activity limitation due to symptom burden.Class I: Patients in this class have cardiac disease but no physical activity limitations. Ordinary activities like walking, climbing stairs, or routine tasks do not cause...
Heart Failure III: Clinical Manifestations01:26

Heart Failure III: Clinical Manifestations

Heart failure (HF) manifests primarily as dyspnea, fatigue, and fluid retention, resulting in peripheral and pulmonary edema. Symptoms may vary depending on which ventricle is more affected, left or right.Left-Sided Heart FailureAlso known as left ventricular failure, this condition results from the left ventricle's inability to fill or eject sufficient blood into the systemic circulation. It leads to pulmonary congestion, which occurs when the left ventricle fails to eject blood effectively...
Heart Failure I: Introduction01:27

Heart Failure I: Introduction

Heart failure refers to a clinical syndrome caused by structural or functional cardiac disorders that prevent the heart from pumping an adequate amount of blood to meet the body's metabolic needs. This condition often arises from myocardial infarction or ischemia, leading to decreased cardiac output, reduced tissue perfusion, impaired gas exchange, fluid volume imbalance, and decreased functional ability.Heart failure can result from disruptions in the mechanisms that regulate cardiac output...
Heart Failure VII: Nursing Interventions01:30

Heart Failure VII: Nursing Interventions

The first step in nursing management of a patient with heart failure involves thoroughly assessing the patient's medical history.Subjective Data: Obtain the patient's medical history of coronary artery disease, hypertension, myocardial infarction, and symptoms like dyspnea, orthopnea, and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea.Objective Data: Conduct a physical examination to identify findings such as jugular vein distention, pulmonary crackles, tachycardia, murmurs, peripheral edema, and vital signs,...
Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology01:29

Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology

Systolic Heart Failure and Compensatory MechanismsSystolic heart failure (also termed HFrEF, Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction) is the most prevalent type of heart filure. It results in a decreased volume of blood being pumped from the ventricle. The aortic arch and carotid sinuses have baroreceptors that detect reduced blood pressure, triggering the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) to release epinephrine and norepinephrine. Initially, this response aims to boost heart rate and...