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Objective: To investigate the relationship between length of hospitalisation (LOH) and post-discharge outcomes in acute heart failure (AHF) patients and to ascertain whether there are different patterns according to department of initial hospitalisation., Methods: Consecutive AHF patients hospitalised in 41 Spanish centres were grouped based on the LOH (<6/6-10/11-15/>15 days). Outcomes were defined as 90-day post-discharge all-cause mortality, AHF readmissions, and the combination of both. Hazard ratios (HRs), adjusted by chronic conditions and severity of decompensation, were calculated for groups with LOH >6 days vs. LOH <6 days (reference), and stratified by hospitalisation in cardiology, internal medicine, geriatrics, or short-stay units., Results: We included 8563 patients (mean age: 80 (SD = 10) years, 55.5% women), with a median LOH of 7 days (IQR 4-11): 2934 (34.3%) had a LOH <6 days, 3184 (37.2%) 6-10 days, 1287 (15.0%) 11-15 days, and 1158 (13.5%) >15 days. The 90-day post-discharge mortality was 11.4%, readmission 32.2%, and combined endpoint 37.4%. Mortality was increased by 36.5% (95%CI = 13.0-64.9) when LOH was 11-15 days, and by 72.0% (95%CI = 42.6-107.5) when >15 days. Conversely, no differences were found in readmission risk, and the combined endpoint only increased 21.6% (95%CI = 8.4-36.4) for LOH >15 days. Stratified analysis by hospitalisation departments rendered similar post-discharge outcomes, with all exhibiting increased mortality for LOH >15 days and no significant increments in readmission risk., Conclusions: Short hospitalisations are not associated with worse outcomes. While post-discharge readmissions are not affected by LOH, mortality risk increases as the LOH lengthens. These findings were similar across hospitalisation departments., (Copyright © 2019 European Federation of Internal Medicine. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen therapy in patients in acute respiratory failure due to acute heart failure (AHF) refractory to conventional oxygen therapy or noninvasive ventilation., Methods: Prospective observational study of patients with AHF and respiratory failure attended in an emergency department whose condition worsened after they were admitted to a short-stay unit, leading to use of HFNCs. Efficacy was assessed using a modified Borg dyspnea scale and oxygenation variables on discharge from the emergency department. Data were recorded after 24 hours on conventional oxygen therapy and after 60 and 120 minutes and 24 hours of HFNC therapy. Safety outcomes were the degree of patient comfort and the frequency of adverse events., Results: Prospective observational study of patients with AHF and respiratory failure attended in an emergency department whose condition worsened after they were admitted to a short-stay unit, leading to use of HFNCs. Efficacy was assessed using a modified Borg dyspnea scale and oxygenation variables on discharge from the emergency department. Data were recorded after 24 hours on conventional oxygen therapy and after 60 and 120 minutes and 24 hours of HFNC therapy. Safety outcomes were the degree of patient comfort and the frequency of adverse events., Conclusion: HFNC oxygen therapy offers a treatment alternative for patients with acute respiratory failure due to AHF.

Various oxygenization methods are used in the treatment of respiratory failure in acute heart failure. Occasionally, after patients are stabilized by these ventilation methods, some maintain a degree of dyspnea or hypoxemia which does not improve and is unrelated to deterioration in the functional class or the need to optimize pharmacological treatment. High-flow oxygen systems administered via nasal cannula that are connected to heated humidifiers (HFT) are a good alternative for oxygenation, given that they are easy to use and have few complications. We studied a series of 5 patients with acute heart failure due to acute pulmonary edema with stable dyspnea or hypoxemia following noninvasive ventilation. All the patients were successfully treated with HFT, showing clinical and gasometric improvement and no complications or technical failures. We report our experience and discuss different aspects related to this oxygenation system., (Copyright © 2010 Sociedad Española de Cardiología. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)