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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
[Epidemiology of acute heart failure]
Julio Montes-Santiago1, José Carlos Arévalo Lorido2, José Manuel Cerqueiro González3
1Servicio de Medicina Interna, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario, Vigo, Pontevedra, España.
Insights
Heart failure poses a significant challenge in Spain, affecting over 1.3 million people. Early identification and integrated care strategies are crucial to manage this growing public health concern and reduce mortality.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Context:
- Heart failure (HF) represents a major healthcare burden in Spain, mirroring trends in other developed nations.
- Over 1.3 million individuals in Spain are estimated to have heart failure.
- Annual hospital admissions exceed 100,000, with a continuous upward trend.
Purpose:
- To highlight the substantial impact of heart failure in Spain.
- To underscore the need for improved management and preventive strategies.
- To emphasize the challenges posed by an aging population with comorbidities.
Summary:
- Heart failure affects over 1.3 million people in Spain, leading to >100,000 annual hospital admissions.
- Patients are often elderly (>75 years) with multiple comorbidities, contributing to high readmission rates and significant mortality (16% at 1 year, 60% at 10 years).
- Annual costs approximate €2.5 billion, with over 17,000 deaths annually, making it the fourth leading cause of death.
Impact:
- In-hospital mortality remains high (~10%) despite reduced overall rates, necessitating urgent interventions.
- De novo heart failure presents increased morbidity and mortality, emphasizing the need for early detection.
- Coordinated healthcare strategies and effective prevention programs are essential to address this growing public health crisis.
Abstract:
In Spain, as in all other developed countries, heart failure is a colossal healthcare challenge. It is estimated that more than 1,300,000 people have heart failure in Spain. Each year, there are more than 100,000 hospital admissions for this process and the numbers are progressively increasing. Approximately 2% of emergency visits are related to this condition. Nearly 50% of inpatients are older than 75 years and have multiple comorbidities. Readmissions are common. Mortality at 1 year is around 16% after discharge but is close to 60% at 10 years. The associated annual overall costs are around 2,500 million euros. Every year more than 17,000 people die from heart failure, which is the fourth most frequent cause of death in Spain. Mortality rates have been reduced but, because of more advanced age at admission and the associated multiple comorbidities, in-hospital mortality has remained largely unchanged during the last 12 years and is nearly 10%. De novo heart failure causes greater morbidity and mortality and consequently there is a need for early identification and treatment. Strategies to coordinate healthcare levels and develop effective preventive programs are needed to tackle this formidable problem.
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01:17Pathophysiology of Heart Failure
01:27Heart Failure I: Introduction
01:26Heart Failure III: Clinical Manifestations
01:29Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology
01:30Heart Failure IV: Classification and Diagnostic Evaluation
01:30Heart Failure VII: Nursing Interventions