Relationship between Baseline Serum Potassium and 1-Year Readmission in Pediatric Patients with Heart Failure: A...

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Cardiology
• Clinical Research
• Biomedical Science

Background:

• Pediatric heart failure (HF) presents significant challenges, including high hospital readmission rates.
• The ideal serum potassium range for optimizing outcomes in pediatric HF patients is not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between serum potassium levels and 1-year readmission rates in pediatric patients hospitalized for heart failure.
• To identify an optimal serum potassium range for reducing readmission risk in this population.

Main Methods:

• A single-center retrospective cohort study included 180 pediatric patients hospitalized for HF.
• Patients were categorized into low (<3.7 mmol/L), middle (3.7-4.7 mmol/L), and high (≥4.7 mmol/L) potassium groups.
• Cox regression and restricted cubic spline models analyzed the relationship between potassium levels and 1-year HF readmission.

Main Results:

• Nearly 39% of pediatric HF patients experienced at least one readmission within a year.
• A significantly higher readmission frequency was observed in the high-potassium group compared to the middle-potassium group.
• Serum potassium levels ≥4.7 mmol/L were independently associated with increased 1-year readmission risk, with the lowest risk observed at 4.1 mmol/L.

Conclusions:

• Elevated serum potassium (≥4.7 mmol/L) is an independent predictor of increased 1-year readmission risk in pediatric heart failure.
• Targeting and maintaining serum potassium within a specific, narrower range may be crucial for improving clinical outcomes and reducing readmissions in pediatric HF.
• Further research into precise potassium management strategies is warranted for pediatric HF care.