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Point of care lung ultrasound (POCUS) has been recently used to assess prognosis in COVID-19 patients. However, there are no data comparing POCUS and chest-X ray, a technique widely used.Retrospective analysis in stable COVID-19 patients. Schalekamp radiological lung scale and LUZ-Score ultrasound scale were compared. Primary end-point was in-hospital death and/or need for Intensive Care Unit admission.A total of 138 patients were included. Median Schalekamp scale was 2 (2) and median LUZ-Score scale was 21 (10). No significant correlation was observed between both techniques. Patients with a LUZ-Score ≥ 21 points at admission had worse lung function and higher concentrations of LDH, CRP and Interleuquine-6. Schalekamp scale failed to identify patients at a higher risk at admission for the primary end-point. Addition of POCUS to a previous clinical model, improved risk prediction (AUC 0.805 [95% CI: 0.662-0.948];Chest X-ray and POCUS showed no correlation at admission in this analysis. Only POCUS identified a group of patients with greater clinical and analytical involvement. POCUS improved, previous clinical model, while chest X-ray did not add relevant predictive information for the primary endpoint.La ecografía torácica es una técnica novedosa para estratificar el riesgo de los pacientes COVID-19. Sin embargo, no existen datos que comparen dicha técnica con la radiografía de tórax, una técnica ampliamente utilizada en esta enfermedad.Análisis retrospectivo en pacientes estables COVID-19. Se compararon la escala de daño pulmonar radiológica de Schalekamp y ecográfica de LUZ-Score. El objetivo primario fue la muerte intrahospitalaria o la necesidad de ingreso en la UCI para tratamiento con ventilación mecánica.Se reclutaron 138 pacientes. La mediana de la escala de Schalekamp fue de 2 (2) y la del LUZ-Score de 21 (10). No se objetivó una correlación significativa entre ambas escalas. Los pacientes con un LUZ-Score ≥ 21 puntos al ingreso presentaron peor función pulmonar y mayores concentraciones de LDH, PCR e interleucina-6. La escala radiológica de Schalekamp no logró identificar a una población de mayor riesgo. Únicamente la adición de la ecografía pulmonar a un modelo de valoración clínica mejoró de manera significativa el área bajo la curva para el objetivo primario (ABC 0,805 [IC 95%: 0,662−0,948];No se objetivó una correlación entre la afectación radiológica y la ecográfica. Únicamente la ecografía pulmonar identificó un subgrupo de pacientes con una mayor afectación clínico-analítica. La ecografía pulmonar mejoró el modelo de predicción clínico, mientras que la radiografía de tórax no añadió información relevante.

Background Malnutrition is frequent in patients with heart failure (HF) and contributes to increased systemic congestion, but also hinders its correct assessment, especially during decompensations. Estimating the degree of malnutrition and its relationship with systemic congestion is important to optimize treatment during decompensations. Material and methods Retrospective cohort study in patients with acute HF. The population was stratified according to CONUT (Controlling Nutritional Status) and PNI (Prognostic Nutritional Index) nutrition indices in order to analyse their relationship with objective parameters of congestion and the prognostic value of malnutrition. Results 309 patients were included. More than half presented some degree of malnutrition upon admission. The degree of congestion was significantly higher in malnourished patients, with a higher proportion of «comet tail artifacts» and a higher relative plasma volume. NT-proBNP concentrations, both on admission and at discharge, were also significantly higher in malnourished patients, regardless of the scale used. The univariate analysis identified the CONUT and PNI index as factors associated with one-year mortality from any cause (HR 1.62 [1.22–2.14]; p = 0.001) and PNI (HR 65 [0.53–0.80]; p ≤ 0.001), respectively. Conclusions A higher degree of malnutrition (determined by means of the CONUT and PNI indices) in patients with acute HF was associated with a higher presence of objective parameters of congestion and a higher one-year all-cause mortality.

Resumen Fundamento El examen fisico presenta una rentabilidad limitada en la estimacion de la congestion venosa sistemica y en la prediccion de la mortalidad de los pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca. Hemos evaluado la utilidad del fragmento amino terminal del peptido natriuretico cerebral (NT-proBNP), del antigeno de cancer 125 (CA125), los hallazgos de la ecografia pulmonar, la estimacion del volumen plasmatico relativo (VPr) y el cociente urea/creatinina, como parametros subrogados de congestion venosa y predictores de mortalidad. Material y metodos Estudio retrospectivo de 203 pacientes ingresados por insuficiencia cardiaca aguda en el servicio de medicina interna de un hospital terciario, con seguimiento monografico en consultas externas entre los anos 2013 y 2018. Los datos clinicos se recogieron de los registros hospitalarios. Las intervenciones terapeuticas se guiaron por el criterio clinico del medico responsable de cada paciente. El desenlace principal fue mortalidad general tras un ano de seguimiento. Resultados La edad media de los pacientes fue 78,8 anos, 47% eran varones. Un total de 130 (65%) pacientes presentaban insuficiencia cardiaca cronica, 51 (26,2%) pacientes se encontraban en clase III-IV de la New York Heart Association y 116 (60%) pacientes presentaban fraccion de eyeccion de ventriculo izquierdo preservada. Durante el seguimiento fallecieron 42 (22%) pacientes. Los valores de NT-proBNP ≥ 3.804 pg/mL (HR 2,78 [1,27-6,08]; p = 0,010) y el VPr ≥ –4,54% (HR 2,74 [1,18-6,38]; p = 0,019) fueron predictores independientes de mortalidad general tras un ano de seguimiento. Conclusiones El NT-proBNP y el VPr son predictores independientes de mortalidad a un ano entre los pacientes ingresados por insuficiencia cardiaca descompensada.

We aimed to characterise and compare the clinical profile of heart failure (HF) with mid-range (HFmrEF), reduced (HFrEF) and preserved (HFpEF) left-ventricular ejection fraction.We conducted a descriptive, observational study in 267 HF patients admitted to the Internal Medicine department of a tertiary hospital during 2010-2016. The study population was divided into three groups according to the ejection fraction rate: HFrEF (40%), HFmrEF (40-49%), and HFpEF (≥50%). We analysed and compared their demographic, clinical, and analytical characteristics.The mean age of the study population was 79.5 (standard deviation, 8.14) years; 56.6% were males. The most common phenotype was HFpEF (58.1%), followed by HFrEF (21.7%) and HFmrEF (20.2%). Ischaemic cardiopathy was the primary aetiology in the HFmrEF and HFrEF groups, and arterial hypertension in the HFpEF group. The most common comorbidities among HFmrEF patients were diabetes (43.4%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (35.8%), and anaemia (35.8%); 49.1% had impairment of segmental myocardial contractility, and 35.8% ventricular dilatation. No differences in HF outcomes were observed among the three phenotypes.HFmrEF shows characteristics similar to both HFpEF and HFrEF. Further large-scale studies with longer follow-up are needed to ascertain if it is worth distinguishing this phenotype in clinical practice in terms of management and prognosis.

Hospitalization for acute decompensation of heart failure (ADHF) is a frequent event associated with long‑term adverse effects. Prognosis is even worse if acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs during hospitalization.The study aimed to determine whether kidney damage biomarkers neutrophil gelatinase‑associatedlipocalin (NGAL), kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM‑1), and interleukin18 (IL‑18) might predict AKI and have prognostic value in ADHF.Serum NGAL on admission and urine NGAL, KIM‑1, and IL‑18 on discharge were determined in 187 ADHF patients enrolled in a prospective, observational, unblinded study. AKI was diagnosed using the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes criteria. Patients were followedfor 12 months to record all‑cause mortality.A total of 22% patients died during the follow‑up, with 52.5% dying within 4 months after discharge. Serum NGAL (P0.001), urine NGAL (P = 0.047), and urinary KIM‑1 (P = 0.014) levels were significantly higher in the deceased patients at discharge. After adjustment for estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), only urinary KIM‑1 independently predicted mortality at month 4 (hazard ratio [HR], 3.166; 95% CI, 1.203-8.334; P = 0.020) and month 12 (HR, 1.969; 95% CI, 1.123-3.454; P = 0.018) in Cox regression models. In receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis urinary KIM‑1 (area under the ROC curve [AUC] = 0.830) outperformed other markers of renal function. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed KIM‑1 predictive value as additive to that of AKI incidence and admission eGFR. Admission serum NGAL was higher in AKI patients (P ≤0.001) with a modest diagnostic performance (AUC = 0.667), below that of urea (AUC = 0.732), creatinine (AUC = 0.696), or cystatin C (AUC = 0.676).Discharge urinary KIM‑1 was a strong and independent predictor of mortality, particularly during the most vulnerable period shortly after hospitalization. Admission serum NGAL was inferior to conventional renal function parameters in predicting AKI during ADHF.

INTRODUCTION Hospitalization for acute decompensation of heart failure (ADHF) is a frequent event associated with long-term adverse effects. Prognosis is even worse if acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs during hospitalization.OBJECTIVES The study aimed to determine whether kidney damage biomarkers neutrophil gelatinase--associatedlipocalin (NGAL), kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM-1), and interleukin 18 (IL-18) might predict AKI and have prognostic value in ADHF.PATIENTS AND METHODS Serum NGAL on admission and urine NGAL, KIM-1, and IL-18 on discharge were determined in 187 ADHF patients enrolled in a prospective, observational, unblinded study. AKI was diagnosed using the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes criteria. Patients were followed for 12 months to record all-cause mortality.RESULTS A total of 22% patients died during the follow-up, with 52.5% dying within 4 months after discharge. Serum NGAL (P

Aims To evaluate whether the addition of hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) to intravenous furosemide is a safe and effective strategy for improving diuretic response in acute heart failure (AHF). Methods and results A prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, including patients with AHF randomized to receive HCTZ or placebo in addition to an intravenous furosemide regimen. The coprimary endpoints were changes in body weight and patient-reported dyspnoea 72 h after randomization. Secondary outcomes included metrics of diuretic response and mortality/rehospitalizations at 30 and 90 days. Safety outcomes (changes in renal function and/or electrolytes) were also assessed. Two hundred and thirty patients (48% women, 83 years) were randomized. Patients assigned to HCTZ were more likely to lose weight at 72 h than those assigned to placebo [−2.3 vs. −1.5 kg; adjusted estimated difference (notionally 95% confidence interval) −1.14 (−1.84 to −0.42); P = 0.002], but there were no significant differences in patient-reported dyspnoea (area under the curve for visual analogue scale: 960 vs. 720; P = 0.497). These results were similar 96 h after randomization. Patients allocated to HCTZ showed greater 24 h diuresis (1775 vs. 1400 mL; P = 0.05) and weight loss for each 40 mg of furosemide (at 72 and at 96 h) (P < 0.001). Patients assigned to HCTZ more frequently presented impaired renal function (increase in creatinine >26.5 μmoL/L or decrease in eGFR >50%; 46.5 vs. 17.2%; P < 0.001), but hypokalaemia and hypokalaemia were similar between groups. There were no differences in mortality or rehospitalizations. Conclusion The addition of HCTZ to loop diuretic therapy improved diuretic response in patients with AHF.

BACKGROUND Diagnosis of acute kidney injury (AKI) during acute decompensations of heart failure (ADHF) remain challenging. We analysed the incidence and prognosis of AKI, and the significance of small increases of creatinine, during ADHF and after stabilization. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients admitted for ADHF were prospectively included. Creatinine was measured at admission, 48h thereafter and 24h before discharge. AKI was diagnosed when creatinine increased≥50% in 7 days (RIFLE criteria) or≥0.3mg/dL in 48h (AKIN criteria) during admission. Changes between baseline creatinine (measured within 3-month before admission) and one month after discharge were assessed, to seek for residual impairment of renal function and its significance. RESULTS Two hundred and four patients were included. Incidence of AKI was 28.4% (n=58). Creatinine peaked by day 5 in patients with AKI vs. non-AKI (1.9 vs. 1.1mg/dL; P

Resumen Antecedentes El diagnostico de dano renal agudo (DRA) durante los episodios de insuficiencia cardiaca aguda (ICA) sigue siendo un desafio. Analizamos la incidencia y el pronostico del DRA y la importancia de los aumentos pequenos de creatinina durante los episodios de ICA y tras su estabilizacion. Pacientes y metodos Se incluyeron prospectivamente pacientes ingresados por ICA. La creatinina se midio al ingreso, a las 48 h de este y 24 h antes del alta. El DRA se diagnostico cuando la creatinina aumento ≥ 50% en 7 dias (criterio RIFLE) o ≥ 0,3 mg/dL en 48 h (criterio AKIN) durante el ingreso. Se evaluaron los cambios entre la creatinina basal (medida dentro de los 3 meses previos al ingreso) y un mes despues del alta, para buscar el deterioro residual de la funcion renal y su importancia. Resultados Se incluyeron 204 pacientes. La incidencia de DRA fue del 28,4% (n = 58). La creatinina alcanzo su maxima concentracion al quinto dia en pacientes con DRA vs. no DRA (1,9 vs. 1,1 mg/dL; p Conclusiones La presencia de DRA es un potente predictor de mortalidad en las ICA. Pequenos incrementos en las concentraciones de creatinina, por debajo del umbral aceptado para la definicion de DRA, tienen un pronostico significativo.

ImportanceAlthough several biomarkers have shown correlation to prognosis in COVID-19 patients, their clinical value is limited because of lack of specificity, suboptimal sensibility, or poor dynamic behavior.ObjectiveIn search of better prognostic markers in COVID-19, we hypothesized that circulating soluble ST2 (sST2) could be associated to a worse outcome, prompted by our previous knowledge of sST2 involvement in heart failure-associated lung deterioration, and by mounting evidence favoring a role of IL-33/ST2 axis in the disease.Design, Setting and participantsOne hundred and fifty-two patients admitted for confirmed COVID-19 infection were included in a prospective non-interventional, observational study carried out in a tertiary teaching center. Blood samples were drawn at admission, 48-72 hours later and at discharge. sST2 concentrations, and routine blood laboratory were analyzed.Main outcomesPrimary end-points were admission at intensive care unit (ICU) and, mortality. Other outcomes were a need for high oxygen flow therapy (HOF) or increasing treatment at 48/72 hours.ResultsMedian age was 57.5 years (SD: 12.8), 60.4% males. Ten per cent of patients (n=15) were derived to ICU and/or died during admission. The rest stayed hospitalized 8(IQR:6) days on average. About 34% (n=47), 38% (n=53) and 48.5% (n=66) needed HOF, up-titrate therapy or both, respectively.Median (IQR) sST2 serum concentration (ng/mL) rose to 53.1(30.9) at admission, peaked at 48-72h (79.5[64]) and returned to admission levels at discharge (44.9[36.7]), remaining significantly elevated above healthy donor values (18.6[15.1]).A concentration of sST2 above 58.9 ng/mL identified patients progressing to ICU admission or death. These results remained significant after multivariable analysis. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) of sST2 for the occurrence of end-points was 0.776 (p=0.001). Admission sST2 was higher in patients who needed up-tritate therapy.Conclusions and relevanceIn patients admitted for COVID-19 infection, measurement of sST2 measurement early within 24h after at admission was able to identify patients at risk of severe complications or death.

Background: Risk stratification of COVID-19 patients is fundamental to improving prognosis and selecting the right treatment. We hypothesized that a combination of lung ultrasound (LUZ-score), biomarkers (sST2), and clinical models (PANDEMYC score) could be useful to improve risk stratification. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study designed to analyze the prognostic value of lung ultrasound, sST2, and PANDEMYC score in COVID-19 patients. The primary endpoint was in-hospital death and/or admission to the intensive care unit. The total length of hospital stay, increase of oxygen flow, or escalated medical treatment during the first 72 h were secondary endpoints. Results: a total of 144 patients were included; the mean age was 57.5 ± 12.78 years. The median PANDEMYC score was 243 (52), the median LUZ-score was 21 (10), and the median sST2 was 53.1 ng/mL (30.9). Soluble ST2 showed the best predictive capacity for the primary endpoint (AUC = 0.764 (0.658–0.871); p = 0.001), towards the PANDEMYC score (AUC = 0.762 (0.655–0.870); p = 0.001) and LUZ-score (AUC = 0.749 (0.596–0.901); p = 0.002). Taken together, these three tools significantly improved the risk capacity (AUC = 0.840 (0.727–0.953); p = 0.001). Conclusions: The PANDEMYC score, lung ultrasound, and sST2 concentrations upon admission for COVID-19 are independent predictors of intra-hospital death and/or the need for admission to the ICU for mechanical ventilation. The combination of these predictive tools improves the predictive power compared to each one separately. The use of decision trees, based on multivariate models, could be useful in clinical practice. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/).

Background Lung ultrasound (LUS) is feasible for assessing lung injury caused by COVID-19. However, the prognostic meaning and time-line changes of lung injury assessed by LUS in COVID-19 hospitalised patients, is unknown. Methods Prospective cohort study designed to analyse prognostic value of LUS in COVID-19 patients by using a quantitative scale (LUZ-score) during the first 72 h after admission. Primary endpoint was in-hospital death and/or admission to the intensive care unit. Total length of hospital stay, increase of oxygen flow or escalate medical treatment during the first 72 h, were secondary endpoints. Results 130 patients were included in the final analysis; mean age was 56.7±13.5 years. Time since the beginning of symptoms until admission was 6 days (4–9). Lung injury assessed by LUZ-score did not differ during the first 72 h (21 points [16–26] at admission versus 20 points [16–27] at 72 h; p=0.183). In univariable logistic regression analysis estimated PaO2/FiO2 (HR 0.99 [0.98–0.99]; p=0.027) and LUZ-score>22 points (5.45 (1.42–20.90); p=0.013) were predictors for the primary endpoint. Conclusions LUZ-score is an easy, simple and fast point of care ultrasound tool to identify patients with severe lung injury due to COVID-19, upon admission. Baseline score is predictive of severity along the whole period of hospitalisation. The score facilitates early implementation or intensification of treatment for COVID-19 infection. LUZ-score may be combined with clinical variables (as estimated PAFI) to further refine risk stratification., Lung injury caused by COVID-19 can be measured through lung ultrasound (LUS). LUS identify COVID-19 patients at a higher risk of complications. LUS could support clinical-decision making in COVID-19 patients.

An inverse relationship has been described between blood pressure and the prognosis in heart failure (HF). The characteristics of this relationship are not well unknown. The objective of this study was to determine if this relationship is maintained in a non-selected cohort of patients with HF and if it can be modified by treatment.Prospective study of cohorts including patients hospitalized for decompensated HF in Internal Medicine departments and followed as outpatients in a monographic consultation. Patients were classified according to their levels of systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Clinical characteristics, all-cause mortality and readmissions after the first, third and sixth month of follow-up were analysed.Two hundred and twenty-one patients were included after their admission to the hospital for acute HF. Mean patient age was 79.5 years(SD 8.09); 115 patients were male. No significant differences between SBP quartiles and basal characteristics were found. Patients with lower SBP (Q1) had higher mortality rates (20%, P.05). No significant differences between mortality/readmissions and DBP were found. However, the Kaplan-Meier analysis showed higher all-cause mortality rates for the group of patients with lower SBP and DBP (log-rank=0.011 and 0.041, respectively). The pharmacological treatment did not differ significantly between both study groups.For non-selected patients suffering HF, higher SBP upon the admission is associated with significantly lower all-cause mortality rates during follow-up. Pharmacological treatment of HF does not seem to influence this inverse relationship between SBP at admission and patient mortality.

Antecedentes La desnutrición es frecuente en los pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca (IC). Dicha situación contribuye al incremento de la congestión sistémica dificultando el manejo clínico. Cuantificar la desnutrición y su relación con la congestión sistémica, es importante para optimizar el tratamiento durante la fase aguda. Material y métodos Estudio de cohortes retrospectivo en pacientes con diagnóstico de IC aguda. La población se estratificó según los índices de nutrición de CONUT (Controlling Nutritional Status) y PNI (Prognostic Nutritional Index) con el objetivo de analizar su relación con parámetros objetivos de congestión y el valor pronóstico al año de seguimiento. Resultados Se incluyeron un total de 309 pacientes, presentando más de la mitad algún grado de desnutrición al ingreso. El grado de congestión fue significativamente superior en los pacientes desnutridos, con una mayor proporción de «líneas b» y un mayor volumen plasmático relativo. Las concentraciones de la prohormona N-terminal del péptido natriurético cerebral (NT-proBNP), tanto al ingreso como al alta, también fueron significativamente superiores en los pacientes desnutridos, independientemente de la escala empleada. El análisis univariante identificó el índice de CONUT y PNI, como factores asociados a la mortalidad al año para todas las causas (HR 1, 62 [1, 22-2, 14]; p = 0, 001) y de PNI (HR 0, 65 [0, 53-0, 80]; p = < 0, 001), respectivamente. Conclusiones Un mayor grado de desnutrición (determinado mediante los índices de CONUT y PNI) en pacientes con IC aguda, se asoció a una mayor presencia de parámetros objetivos de congestión y a una mayor mortalidad al año para todas las causas. Background Malnutrition is frequent in patients with heart failure (HF) and contributes to increased systemic congestion, but also hinders its correct assessment, especially during decompensations. Estimating the degree of malnutrition and its relationship with systemic congestion is important to optimize treatment during decompensations. Material and methods Retrospective cohort study in patients with acute HF. The population was stratified according to CONUT (Controlling Nutritional Status) and PNI (Prognostic Nutritional Index) nutrition indices in order to analyse their relationship with objective parameters of congestion and the prognostic value of malnutrition. Results 309 patients were included. More than half presented some degree of malnutrition upon admission. The degree of congestion was significantly higher in malnourished patients, with a higher proportion of «comet tail artifacts» and a higher relative plasma volume. NT-proBNP concentrations, both on admission and at discharge, were also significantly higher in malnourished patients, regardless of the scale used. The univariate analysis identified the CONUT and PNI index as factors associated with one-year mortality from any cause (HR 1.62 [1.22-2.14]; p = 0.001) and PNI (HR 65 [0.53-0.80]; p = < 0.001), respectively. Conclusions A higher degree of malnutrition (determined by means of the CONUT and PNI indices) in patients with acute HF was associated with a higher presence of objective parameters of congestion and a higher one-year all-cause mortality.

Se presenta un caso de hiponatremia grave en un paciente varón de 67 años de edad, con ingreso en un hospital de tercer nivel con diagnóstico de infección respiratoria por coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 confirmada por PCR. Como antecedentes médico-quirúrgicos presentaba cardiopatía isquémica con IAM revascularizado en 2009, hemiparesia derecha congénita, ligera oligofrenia, hidrocefalia y epilepsia bien controlada farmacológicamente. Tras 20 días de ingreso desarrolló clínica compatible con mioclonias faciales, desconexión temporal del medio y disartria de cuatro minutos de duración, con recuperación completa. A la exploración estaba consciente y orientado, con tensión arterial de 169/89 mmHg, afebril, con glucemia capilar de 180 mg/dL y una taquicardia arrítmica a 130 latidos por minuto, confirmándose electrocardiográficamente una fibrilación auricular conocida durante el ingreso. Previamente el paciente no portaba fluidoterapia. Se inició entonces tratamiento con 300 mg de amiodarona y se solicitó analítica sanguínea urgente destacando hiponatremia de 108 mEq/L (resultados en tabla 1, 2ª columna, con analítica previa en 1ª columna). Fue reevaluado, seguía sin ninguna alteración neurológica, por lo que se descartó ingreso en la UCI y se inició infusión de 250 mL de suero salino hipertónico al 3% en cuatro horas. En ese momento también se descartaron disfunción tiroidea (TSH: 1, 62 mU/L) e insuficiencia suprarrenal (ACTH: 24, 2 pg/mL y cortisol basal: 15 mcg/dL). Los resultados analíticos transcurridas las cuatro horas se reflejan en la tabla 1 (3ª columna)...

Systemic venous congestion is present in most cases of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). An accurate assessment of congestion is key to improve outcomes and avoid residual congestion. Physical examination has limitations for grading congestion; hence, new methods for assessing congestion have been developed. A multimodal approach, combining surrogate markers of congestion, may be a suitable strategy. The aim of this study was to compare the prognostic value of Amino terminal fragment of pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide (NT-proBNP), Carbohydrate cancer antigen 125 (CA125), lung ultrasound, relative plasma volume status (rPVS) and urea/Creatinine ratio (U/C ratio), to predict one-year all-cause mortality.Retrospective, observational analysis of 203 patients admitted at the Internal Medicine ward of a tertiary teaching Hospital due to ADHF, followed in monographic outclinic. Clinical data were obtained from hospital records. Therapeutic interventions followed exclusively the clinical judgement of the physician responsible for each patient.203 patients were included for the final analysis between 2013 and 2018. Chronic heart failure (CHF) was present in 130 patients (65%); 51 patients (26.2%) had class III-IV of New York Heart Association (NYHA); 116 patients (60%) had HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Forty-two patients (21.6%) died during follow-up. NT-proBNP≥3804 pg/mL (HR 2.78 [1.27 - 6.08]; P=.010) and rPVS≥-4.54% (HR 2.74 [1.18 - 6.38]; P=.019), were independent predictors for 1-year all-cause mortality on top of CA125, lung ultrasound and U/C ratio.NT-proBNP and rPVS are independent predictors of one-year mortality among patients admitted for ADHF.

Background: We sought to identify the comorbidities associated with heart failure (HF) in a non-selected cohort of patients, and its influence on mortality and rehospitalization. Design and methods: Data were obtained from the ‘Registro de Insuficiencia Cardiaca’ (RICA) of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine. The registry includes patients prospectively admitted in Internal Medicine units for acute HF. Variables included in Charlson Index (ChI) were collected and analysed according to age, gender, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and Barthel Index. The primary end point of study was the likelihood of rehospitalization and death for any cause during the year after discharge. Results: We included 2051 patients, mean age 78 and 53% females. LVEF was ⩾ 50% in 59.1% of the cohort. There was a high degree of dependency as measured by Barthel Index (14.8 % had an index ≤ 60). Mean ChI was 2.91 (SD ± 2.4). The most frequent comorbidities included in ChI were diabetes mellitus (44.3%), chronic renal impairment (30.8%) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (27.4%). Age, myocardial infarction, peripheral artery disease, dementia, COPD, chronic renal impairment and diabetes with target-organ damage were all identified as independent prognostic factors for the combined end point of rehospitalization and death at 1 year. However, if multivariate analysis was done including ChI, only this remained as an independent prognostic factor for the combined end point ( P < 0.001). Conclusions: HF is a comorbid condition. ChI is a simple and feasible tool for estimating the burden of comorbidities in such population. We believe that a holistic approach to HF would improve prognosis and the relief the pressure exerted on public health services.

Acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema and cardiogenic shock are two of the main forms of presentation of acute heart failure. Both entities are serious, with high mortality, and require early diagnosis and prompt and aggressive management. Acute pulmonary edema is due to the passage of fluid through the alveolarcapillary membrane and is usually the result of an acute cardiac episode. Correct evaluation and clinical identification of the process is essential in the management of acute pulmonary edema. The initial aim of treatment is to ensure hemodynamic stability and to correct hypoxemia. Other measures that can be used are vasodilators such as nitroglycerin, loop diuretics and, in specific instances, opioids. Cardiogenic shock is characterized by sustained hypoperfusion, pulmonary wedge pressure > 18 mmHg and a cardiac index 30 mmHg) and absent or reduced diuresis (< 0.5 ml/kg/h). The most common cause is left ventricular failure due to acute myocardial infarction. Treatment consists of general measures to reverse acidosis and hypoxemia, as well as the use of vasopressors and inotropic drugs. Early coronary revascularization has been demonstrated to improve survival in shock associated with ischaemic heart disease.

Fundamento y objetivo: Existe una relación inversa entre las cifras de presión arterial en las descompensaciones y el pronóstico de la insuficiencia cardiaca (IC). Las características de esta relación no son bien conocidas. El objetivo del estudio fue analizar si esta relación se mantiene en una cohorte no seleccionada de pacientes con IC y si el tratamiento la modifica. Material y métodos: Estudio prospectivo de cohortes de pacientes ingresados por IC descompensada en un servicio de Medicina Interna y seguidos ambulatoriamente en una consulta monográfica. Los pacientes fueron agrupados en función de la presión arterial sistólica (PAS) y diastólica (PAD); se analizaron las características clínicas, la mortalidad global y los reingresos al primer, tercer y sexto mes de seguimiento. Resultados: Se incluyeron 221 pacientes tras un ingreso índice por IC. Media de edad: 79, 5 años (DE 8, 09); varones: 115. No hubo diferencias significativas en las características basales de los pacientes en función de los cuartiles de PAS. Los pacientes con menor PAS (Q1) tenían mayor mortalidad (20%, p < 0, 05). No se encontraron diferencias para la PAD. Sin embargo, el análisis de Kaplan-Meier mostró una mayor mortalidad global en los pacientes con menor PAS y PAD (log-rank = 0, 011 y 0, 041, respectivamente). Las características del tratamiento farmacológico no diferían entre los grupos del estudio. Conclusión: En pacientes con IC no seleccionados, las cifras elevadas de PAS al ingreso se asocian con una menor mortalidad durante el seguimiento. El tratamiento farmacológico de la IC no parece influir en la relación inversa entre la PAS al ingreso y la mortalidad. Background and objective An inverse relationship has been described between blood pressure and the prognosis in heart failure (HF). The characteristics of this relationship are not well unknown. The objective of this study was to determine if this relationship is maintained in a non-selected cohort of patients with HF and if it can be modified by treatment. Material and methods Prospective study of cohorts including patients hospitalized for decompensated HF in Internal Medicine departments and followed as outpatients in a monographic consultation. Patients were classified according to their levels of systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Clinical characteristics, all-cause mortality and readmissions after the first, third and sixth month of follow-up were analysed. Results Two hundred and twenty-one patients were included after their admission to the hospital for acute HF. Mean patient age was 79.5 years(SD 8.09); 115 patients were male. No significant differences between SBP quartiles and basal characteristics were found. Patients with lower SBP (Q1) had higher mortality rates (20%, P

Resumen Fundamentos y objetivo Los peptidos natriureticos (PN) han demostrado su utilidad en la insuficiencia cardiaca (IC) y algunos trastornos de la circulacion pulmonar. El presente trabajo tiene por objeto conocer la utilidad de la fraccion aminoterminal del peptido natriuretico cerebral (NT-proBNP) como marcador pronostico en pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar cronica reagudizada, sin semiologia clinica de IC. Pacientes y metodo Estudio prospectivo y observacional. Se incluyeron de forma consecutiva 192 pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar cronica ingresados por descompensacion de su enfermedad respiratoria. Se determino la concentracion sanguinea de NT-proBNP en todos ellos y se realizo posteriormente un seguimiento durante los 6 meses posteriores al ingreso para detectar reingresos, prescripcion de diureticos, oxigenoterapia o muerte. Resultados El 6,3% de los pacientes fallecieron, en un 22,9% se prescribio oxigenoterapia, en un 18,2% diureticos y el 21,9% reingreso al menos en una ocasion durante el periodo de seguimiento de 6 meses. La concentracion media de NT-proBNP fue de 1180 pg/ml. Concentraciones de NT-proBNP superiores a 500 pg/ml (odds ratio [OR] 11,0, intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC 95%] 1,39–86,99) y de 350 pg/ml fueron predictoras de mortalidad y prescripcion de diuretico (OR 2,83; IC 95% 1,16–6,86), respectivamente. Conclusiones El NT-proBNP podria ser un marcador pronostico en pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar cronica, identificando a aquellos con especial riesgo de fallecer o mas probabilidad de desarrollar una disfuncion ventricular sintomatica.

Summary Objectives To determine whether serum Cystatin C (CysC) and NTproBNP have prognostic value among patients with long-standing chronic lung disease. Design Prospective, observational, non-interventional study. Setting CysC and NTproBNP are prognostic markers in several cardiac conditions. In addition, CysC acts as an antiprotease following Cathepsin activation, which has been involved in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Participants Patients with a basal functional status of II-IV (NYHA), admitted for an acute exacerbation of chronic pulmonary diseases and no previous history of symptoms related to pulmonary hypertension or heart failure. Main outcome measures NTproBNP and CysC were determined at admission in 107 patients with acute exacerbation of chronic lung disease. During 12-month follow-up, mortality, new hospital admissions and prescription of diuretics were recorded. Results During follow-up there were eight patient deaths (7.5%). Mean NTproBNP among the deceased was 1510.20 pg/mL (95% CI 498.44-4628.55) vs 502.70 pg/mL (95% CI 395.44-645.48) among survivors (p= 0.01). Twenty-seven patients (25%) were prescribed loop diuretics. Mean concentration of CysC was 1.45 mg/dL (95% CI 1.21-1.69 mg/dL) vs 1.17 mg/dL (95% IC 1.09-1.25 mg/dL) in those not prescribed (p = 0.004). NTproBNP concentration was 837.14 pg/mL (95% CI 555.57-1274.10 pg/mL) in patients prescribed diuretics vs 473.42 pg/mL (95% CI 357.80-632.70 pg/mL) in those not prescribed (p = 0.03). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed a significant difference between death and diuretic prescription during follow-up when cut-off value for NTproBNP was 550 pg/mL (p = 0.03 and p= 0.02, respectively). For 1.16mg/dL of CsysC, a significant difference was only observed in diuretic prescription (p = 0.007). Conclusions In patients with chronic respiratory diseases NTproBNP has predictive value in terms of mortality whereas CysC does not. However, it is still possible that both can contribute to the early identification of patients at risk of developing clinical ventricular dysfunction.

Acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema and cardiogenic shock are two of the main forms of presentation of acute heart failure. Both entities are serious, with high mortality, and require early diagnosis and prompt and aggressive management. Acute pulmonary edema is due to the passage of fluid through the alveolarcapillary membrane and is usually the result of an acute cardiac episode. Correct evaluation and clinical identification of the process is essential in the management of acute pulmonary edema. The initial aim of treatment is to ensure hemodynamic stability and to correct hypoxemia. Other measures that can be used are vasodilators such as nitroglycerin, loop diuretics and, in specific instances, opioids. Cardiogenic shock is characterized by sustained hypoperfusion, pulmonary wedge pressure18 mmHg and a cardiac index2.2l/min/m(2). The process typically presents with hypotension (systolic blood pressure90 mmHg or a decrease in mean arterial pressure30 mmHg) and absent or reduced diuresis (0.5 ml/kg/h). The most common cause is left ventricular failure due to acute myocardial infarction. Treatment consists of general measures to reverse acidosis and hypoxemia, as well as the use of vasopressors and inotropic drugs. Early coronary revascularization has been demonstrated to improve survival in shock associated with ischaemic heart disease.

Elevated troponin in heart failure has been associated with worse prognosis, but there are differences in the design and results of published studies. Our objective was to determine the association of troponin T with mortality and readmissions in patients with acute heart failure in clinical practice conditions.We included patients from the RICA registry who were hospitalized for acute heart failure. They were classified into 3 groups according to troponin T levels: normal, intermediate and high (0.02, 0.02-0.049 and ≥ 0.05 ng/mL, respectively). Survival was studied by Kaplan-Meier curves and the association of variables was tested by Cox regression analysis.A total of 406 patients was included. Average age was 76.9 (76.0-77.7) years. Hypertensive heart disease was the most common etiology. Left ventricular ejection fraction was45% in 22.1% of the patients. The group with elevated troponin T had higher proportions of women, systolic dysfunction, renal failure and anemia, a lower body mass index and longer hospital stay. At one year, patients with elevated troponin T had higher mortality than patients with normal troponin (35.5 vs. 13.9%, p0.001). The composite event (mortality and readmissions) was also more frequent (51.6 vs. 30.9%, p0.001), but there were no differences in readmissions alone. Troponin T ≥ 0.02 ng/mL was independently associated with mortality.Elevated troponin T levels are common in patients with heart failure in clinical practice and are associated with increased mortality and events after one year of follow-up.

Background The prognostic value of NT-proBNP levels in patients admitted to hospital due to acute exacerbations of chronic pulmonary diseases (CPDs) is unknown. Setting Internal Medicine units at two general hospitals. Methods NT-proBNP levels were obtained within 72 h after admission in 192 consecutive patients with acute exacerbations of CPDs and no history of heart failure or diuretic treatment. Clinical characteristics and main outcomes were assessed over a 12-month follow-up. NT-proBNP cut-points for outcomes were obtained by ROC (receiver operating characteristics) curve analysis. Results Chronic obstructive lung disease (69.3%) and chronic asthma (22.4%) were the most prevalent CPDs, and non-pneumonic acute respiratory infection (72.4%) and pneumonia (22.9%) were the most frequent causes of exacerbation. Atrial flutter or fibrillation rate was 11%. During the one-year follow-up period, 22 patients died, 42 were re-admitted, 46 received new long-term oxygen therapy, and 39 received new diuretic treatment. NT-proBNP values correlated with hospitalisation days. NT-proBNP values over 587.9 pg/ml were associated with significantly raised one-year mortality (OR = 3.90; 95% IC 1.46–10.47; p = 0.006) and over 782.2 pg/ml with cardio-pulmonary deaths (OR = 6.38; 95% IC 1.91–21.3; p = 0.002). That association persisted after adjustment for age, gender, creatinine levels and cardiac rhythm. NT-proBNP values over 628.7 pg/ml were associated with significantly higher probability of new diuretic treatment (OR = 4.38; IC 95% 2.07–9.25; p Conclusion NT-proBNP levels below 587.9 pg/ml in patients with acute exacerbations of CPD were associated with favourable one-year outcomes.

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is produced and released mainly from ventricles. BNP has been shown to be useful in diagnosis and prognosis in heart failure and some pulmonary conditions. The aim of this study is to analyse whether NT-proBNP has a prognostic value in chronic pulmonary patients without overt heart failure.We conducted an observational and prospective study. We included 192 patients admitted to the Internal Medicine Departments of Hospital Clinico "Lozano Blesa" (Zaragoza, Spain) and "Virgen de la Luz" (Cuenca, Spain) with acute exacerbation of pulmonary disease. Blood samples were taken to determine NT-proBNP concentrations. All patients were followed for 6 months after admission.6,3% of patients died, 22,9% were prescribed with home oxygen-therapy, 18,2% received a diuretic prescription and 21,9% were re-admitted at least once during the follow-up period. Mean NT-proBNP was 1180pg/ml. A concentration above 500pg/ml and 350pg/ml of NT-proBNP was useful to predict mortality and diuretic prescription respectively.Among patients with acute exacerbations of chronic pulmonary disease, NT-proBNP could be a prognostic factor to identify those at risk of death or worst clinical development.