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Trends in heart failure hospitalizations

Nadia Fida1, Ileana L Piña

  • 1Montefiore Einstein Center for Heart and Vascular Care, Montefiore-Einstein Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10467, USA. nfida@montefiore.org

Current Heart Failure Reports
|October 17, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Hospitalizations for heart failure (HF) are rising, especially in older adults, costing billions. Early recognition by emergency departments and HF clinics is key to preventing readmissions and reducing costs.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Public Health
  • Healthcare Management

Background:

  • Heart failure (HF) hospitalizations have tripled between 1979 and 2004.
  • Individuals over 65 constitute 80% of prevalent heart failure cases.
  • HF is a leading cause of costly hospitalizations and frequent 30-day readmissions, costing $15 billion annually.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze trends in heart failure hospitalizations.
  • To characterize the population experiencing heart failure hospitalizations.
  • To identify strategies for reducing preventable hospitalizations and readmissions.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from the National Hospital Discharge Survey.
  • Examined hospitalization rates and mortality associated with heart failure.
  • Reviewed the role of emergency departments and heart failure clinics.

Main Results:

  • Heart failure hospitalizations have significantly increased.
  • The elderly population (over 65) represents the majority of heart failure cases.
  • Heart failure is the most expensive Diagnosis Related Groups (DRG) diagnosis and a frequent cause of 30-day readmissions.

Conclusions:

  • Registries and trials are crucial for understanding heart failure hospitalization patterns.
  • Emergency departments and HF clinics play a vital role in preventing readmissions.
  • Effective management strategies are needed for cost containment in heart failure care.

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