Early IV Therapy in Older Patients With Acute HF
Early IV Therapy in Older Patients With Acute HF
The majority of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) patients present initially to the emergency department (ED) and the time to treatment varies across hospitals. Similar to efforts focused on myocardial infarction, the timing of initial emergency management of patients with ADHF may be important for early outcomes. Most patients hospitalized with ADHF receive intravenous (IV) heart failure (HF) therapy, such as diuretics and vasoactive medications, but the relationship between time to treatment and outcomes is less clear compared to other acute cardiovascular disorders.
Prior studies showed that delays in IV diuretics or vasoactive medications initiation were associated with worsened in-hospital clinical outcomes. However, the association between delays in IV HF therapy and post-discharge clinical outcomes remains unclear. Our objective was to examine the relationship between time to first IV HF therapy and its association with in-hospital and 30-day clinical outcomes among older (≥65 years old) patients hospitalized with ADHF.
Background
The majority of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) patients present initially to the emergency department (ED) and the time to treatment varies across hospitals. Similar to efforts focused on myocardial infarction, the timing of initial emergency management of patients with ADHF may be important for early outcomes. Most patients hospitalized with ADHF receive intravenous (IV) heart failure (HF) therapy, such as diuretics and vasoactive medications, but the relationship between time to treatment and outcomes is less clear compared to other acute cardiovascular disorders.
Prior studies showed that delays in IV diuretics or vasoactive medications initiation were associated with worsened in-hospital clinical outcomes. However, the association between delays in IV HF therapy and post-discharge clinical outcomes remains unclear. Our objective was to examine the relationship between time to first IV HF therapy and its association with in-hospital and 30-day clinical outcomes among older (≥65 years old) patients hospitalized with ADHF.