Association of time-to-intravenous furosemide with mortality in acute heart failure: data from REPORT-HF

Door-to-Diuretic Time and Outcomes in Acute Heart Failure: A Scoping Review

INTRODUCTION

Inadequate decongestion remains an unmet need in the management of patients with heart failure. The concept of door-to-diuretic (D2D) time to improve outcomes has been proposed for patients with heart failure (HF), but the trial results have been mixed.

METHODS

We utilized Preferred Reporting Instrument for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) for scoping reviews with an extensive a priori search strategy for databases: PubMed and Scopus between January 2015 and November 2023. We used the key search terms "door-to-diuretic time" OR "door-to-furosemide time" OR "acute heart failure decongestion". Early D2D time was defined as intravenous (IV) diuretic administration within 30-120 min of patient arrival to the healthcare facility. Articles were included if they met our criteria, were written in the English language, and investigated door-to-diuretic or furosemide time as a decongestive strategy to improve outcomes in patients with acute HF.

RESULTS

From 588 articles, 13 articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria after excluding duplicates and articles that did not meet our inclusion criteria. Of these studies, there was 1 meta-analysis and 12 observational cohort/registry-based studies (10 were positive trials and 2 were neutral). The most common outcomes examined were mortality and rehospitalization with early diuretic administration. First, early treatment was associated with lower in-hospital mortality and shorter hospital length of stay. Second, higher doses of furosemide were associated with improved HF symptoms and decreased hospitalization, at the cost of transiently worsening renal function. Third, the evidence is mixed for long-term mortality benefits.

CONCLUSION

Although the impact of early D2D time on HF outcomes is mixed, early diuretic administration appears to be an effective and safe strategy that warrants further investigation in large-scale pragmatic comparative effectiveness trials. Future trials should consider utilizing diuretic efficiency-guided dose escalation and augmented diuresis using high-dose or combination diuretic therapy.

Therapeutic novelties in acute heart failure and practical perspectives

Acute Heart Failure (AHF) is a leading cause of death and represents the most frequent cause of unplanned hospital admission in patients older than 65 years. Since the past decade, several randomized clinical trials have highlighted the importance and pivotal role of certain therapeutics, including decongestion by the combination of loop diuretics, the need for rapid goal-directed medical therapies implementation before discharge, risk stratification, and early follow-up after discharge therapies. Cardiogenic shock, defined as sustained hypotension with tissue hypoperfusion due to low cardiac output and congestion, is the most severe form of AHF and mainly occurs after acute myocardial infarction, which can progress to multiple organ failure. Although its prevalence is relatively low, cardiogenic shock complicates 12% of acute myocardial infarction. After a brief summary of the epidemiology of AHF and cardiogenic shock, followed by key pathophysiological points, we detailed current treatments in AHF and cardiogenic shock what every anaesthesiologist and intensivist needs to know, based on the latest guidelines and randomized clinical trials published in recent years.

2024 update in heart failure

In the last years, major progress has occurred in heart failure (HF) management. The 2023 ESC focused update of the 2021 HF guidelines introduced new key recommendations based on the results of the last years of science. First, two drugs, sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and finerenone, a novel nonsteroidal, selective mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA), are recommended for the prevention of HF in patients with diabetic chronic kidney disease (CKD). Second, SGLT2 inhibitors are now recommended for the treatment of HF across the entire left ventricular ejection fraction spectrum. The benefits of quadruple therapy in patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) are well established. Its rapid and early up-titration along with a close follow-up with frequent clinical and laboratory re-assessment after an episode of acute HF (the so-called 'high-intensity care' strategy) was associated with better outcomes in the STRONG-HF trial. Patients experiencing an episode of worsening HF might require a fifth drug, vericiguat. In the STEP-HFpEF-DM and STEP-HFpEF trials, semaglutide 2.4 mg once weekly administered for 1 year decreased body weight and significantly improved quality of life and the 6 min walk distance in obese patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) with or without a history of diabetes. Further data on safety and efficacy, including also hard endpoints, are needed to support the addition of acetazolamide or hydrochlorothiazide to a standard diuretic regimen in patients hospitalized due to acute HF. In the meantime, PUSH-AHF supported the use of natriuresis-guided diuretic therapy. Further options and most recent evidence for the treatment of HF, including specific drugs for cardiomyopathies (i.e., mavacamten in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and tafamidis in transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis), device therapies, cardiac contractility modulation and percutaneous treatment of valvulopathies, with the recent finding from the TRILUMINATE Pivotal trial, are also reviewed in this article.

Quality of care delivery in patients with acute heart failure: insights from the international REPORT-HF registry

Background

Heart Failure (HF) quality of care (QoC) is associated with clinical outcomes. Therefore, we investigated differences in HF QoC across worldwide regions (with differing national income) and the association of quality indicators with outcomes.

Methods

We examined the quality of care (QoC) in acute heart failure (HF) patients across different regions using quality indicators (QIs) from the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) to evaluate QoC. The analysis included 17,632 patients enrolled from 358 medical centres in 44 countries between 23 July 2014 and 24 March 2017, all part of the prospective REPORT-HF cohort study. We investigated how QoC varied by region and its relationship with mortality rates at 30 days and 1 year after hospital discharge. For each QI, percentage attainment of QI among eligible patients was calculated and compared across regions.

Findings

Among 17,632 patients (median age: 67 years; 61% women) followed up for a median of two years, we assessed 16 QIs. QIs that were least often achieved included measurement of natriuretic peptides, performance of echocardiography, treatment with guideline medical therapy, and a scheduled follow-up consultation after discharge. QI achievement was significantly lower in lower-than higher-income countries. Higher (≥50% vs. <50%) achievement of cumulative QIs was associated with lower 30-day (hazard ratio [HR] 0.58, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 0.40-0.83; p < 0.001), and 1-year mortality (HR 0.58, 95% CI 0.50-0.68; p < 0.001).

Interpretation

QoC is lower in lower-than higher-income countries and lower QoC is associated with worse outcomes. Improving QoC by addressing structural barriers and quality improvement programs may improve the outcomes of patients with HF.

Funding

Novartis.

Cardiooncology in the ICU - Cardiac Urgencies in Cancer Care

Cardiovascular disease is an increasing risk of morbidity and mortality in cancer patients, related to an growing number of aging survivors with pre-existing cardiovascular disease and the use of traditional and novel cancer therapies with cardiotoxic effects. While many cardiac complications are chronic processes that develop over time, there are many acute processes that may arise in hospitalized patients. It is important for hospitalists and critical care physicians to be familiar with the recognition and management of these conditions in this unique population. This article reviews the presentation and management of common cardiac urgencies in critically ill cancer patients including acute decompensated heart failure, acute coronary syndromes, arrhythmias, hypertensive crises, pulmonary embolism, pericardial tamponade and myocarditis.

Door-to-Diuretic Time and Short-term Outcomes in Acute Heart Failure: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Acute heart failure (AHF) is a leading cause of unplanned hospitalization, often associated with poor outcomes. Decongestion with intravenous loop diuretics is the mainstay of treatment. Metrics such as door-to-diuretic time, the time between presentation of AHF to the hospital, and administration of intravenous diuretics, may play an important role in faster decongestion and thereby reduce mortality. We sought to investigate whether early diuretic administration [door-to-diuretic (D2D) time 60 ≤mins] was associated with improved outcomes among hospitalized heart failure patients.

METHODS

A systematic search of PubMed and Scopus databases was performed from inception until June 2023. The primary endpoints were all-cause in-hospital and 30-day mortality. Secondary endpoints were the length of hospital stay and heart failure readmission. We used a random-effects model to calculate odds ratios (OR) for binary outcomes and mean differences for continuous data.

RESULTS

Our meta-analysis included 6 observational studies involving 19,916 patients. No significant differences ( P > 0.05) were observed between shorter D2D and delayed D2D time with respect to in-hospital mortality (OR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.35-1.09), 30-day mortality (OR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.51-1.33; P = 0.44), length of hospital stay (MD, -0.02; 95% CI, -0.26 to 0.22) and heart failure readmission (OR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.86-1.20).

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence from existing literature, which is largely limited to observational comparisons, highlights comparable outcomes between the 2 treatment strategies. Early diuretic administration, particularly within 60 minutes of hospital presentation, does not demonstrate any prognostic benefits.

Time to intravenous diuretic administration in patients hospitalized with heart failure: An observational study

AIMS

To help establish optimized treatment strategies for congestion in patients with acute heart failure, this study aimed to provide a detailed summary of real-world diuretic use in hospitalized patients with heart failure requiring urgent therapy in Japan.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This observational study used a Japanese medical records database to extract data of patients admitted to hospital with a heart failure diagnosis and an intravenous diuretic prescription from the day before admission to 2 days after. Time from hospital visit to first dose, second dose, and maximum dose of intravenous diuretics were determined. Patients were grouped according to whether they received diuretic modification, defined as an intravenous diuretic dose increase or concomitant use of other diuretics.

RESULTS

Overall, 1577 patients were included in the study (without diuretic modification, n = 1140 [72.3%]; with diuretic modification, n = 437 [27.7%]). The study population was 49.5% female (n = 780) and the mean age ± standard deviation was 80.1 ± 12.7 years. Intravenous diuretic treatment was received within 1 h of their hospital visit in 43.5% of patients (686/1577) and ≤2 h in 16.4% of patients (258/1577). Among 437 patients with an inadequate response following their first dose, 42.1% received an intravenous dose titration, 56.5% received combination diuretics, and 1.4% received both. Over half of the patients (59.0% [258/437]) with diuretic modification received it after the first 24 h of the hospital visit. The median time from hospital visit to first dose titration was similar to time to first combination diuretic use (18.6 h and 17.0 h, respectively). The mean ± standard deviation duration of intravenous diuretic use was significantly longer for patients with versus without diuretic modification (6.3 ± 5.2 vs. 3.7 ± 3.2 days), and a significantly greater proportion of patients (44.6% [195/437] vs. 35.0% [399/1140]) received repeated intravenous diuretic administration. Other characteristics/outcomes of intravenous diuretic use were similar with versus without diuretic modification, including in-hospital death (15.6% [68/437] vs. 13.9% [159/1140]) and mean ± standard deviation length of hospitalization (21.9 ± 14.7 days vs. 22.1 ± 21.2 days).

CONCLUSIONS

In Japan, real-world patterns of intravenous diuretic administration for patients with heart failure remains far from the time-sensitive approach recommended in Japanese, European, and United States guidelines.

Regional Differences in the Epidemiology of Heart Failure

Heart failure (HF) epidemiology, patient characteristics, and clinical outcomes exhibit substantial regional variations, reflecting diverse etiologies and health system capacities. This review comprehensively analyses these variations, drawing on data from recent global registries and clinical trials. Our review indicates that ischemic and hypertensive heart diseases are prevalent globally but differ in dominance depending on the region. Notably, regions such as Africa and Latin America show higher instances of HF from hypertensive heart disease and Chagas cardiomyopathy, respectively. Moreover, disparities in age and comorbidity profiles across regions highlight younger populations with HF in lower-income countries compared to older populations in high-income regions. This review also highlights the global disparity in guideline-directed medical and device therapy, underscoring significant underuse in lower-income regions. These insights emphasize the need for targeted HF management strategies considering regional clinical and demographic characteristics to enhance global HF care and outcomes.

Door-to-diuretic time and mortality in patients with acute heart failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Early decongestion therapy with intravenous diuretics may be associated with improved outcomes in acute heart failure (AHF), however data is conflicting. This meta-analysis sought to evaluate the impact of door-to-IV diuretic (D2D) time on mortality in patients with AHF. Pooled estimates from observational studies comprising 28,124 patients, early IV diuresis (reference time 30-105 minutes) was associated with a 23% reduction in 30-day mortality in AHF (OR 0.77; 95% CI 0.64-0.93), despite no significant in-hospital death reduction (OR 0.84; 95% CI 0.57-1.24).

European Society of Cardiology guidelines and 1 year outcomes of acute heart failure treatment in Central Asia and Europe

AIMS

Outcomes reported for patients with hospitalization for acute heart failure (AHF) treatment vary worldwide. Ethnicity-associated characteristics may explain this observation. This observational study compares characteristics and 1-year outcomes of Kyrgyz and Swiss AHF patients against the background of European Society of Cardiology guidelines-based cardiovascular care established in both countries.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The primary endpoint was 1 year all-cause mortality (ACM); the secondary endpoint was 1 year ACM or HF-related rehospitalization. A total of 538 Kyrgyz and 537 Swiss AHF patients were included. Kyrgyz patients were younger (64.0 vs. 83.0 years, P < 0.001); ischaemic or rheumatic heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were more prevalent (always P < 0.001). In Swiss patients, smoking, dyslipidaemia, hypertension, and atrial flutter/fibrillation were more frequent (always P ≤ 0.035); moreover, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was higher (47% vs. 36%; P < 0.001), and >mild aortic stenosis was more prevalent (P < 0.001). Other valvular pathologies were more prevalent in Kyrgyz patients (P < 0.001). At discharge, more Swiss patients were on vasodilatory treatment (P < 0.006), while mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (P = 0.001), beta-blockers (P = 0.001), or loop diuretics (P < 0.001) were less often prescribed. In Kyrgyz patients, unadjusted odds for the primary and secondary endpoints were lower [odds ratio (OR) 0.68, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.51-0.90, P = 0.008; OR 0.72, 95% CI: 0.56-0.91, P = 0.006, respectively]. After adjustment for age and LVEF, no difference remained (primary endpoint: OR 1.03, 95% CI: 0.71-1.49, P = 0.894; secondary endpoint: OR 0.82, 95% CI: 0.60-1.12, P = 0.206).

CONCLUSIONS

On the background of identical guidelines, age- and LVEF-adjusted outcomes were not different between Central Asian and Western European AHF patients despite of large ethnical disparity.

Contemporary management of acute heart failure in the emergency department and the potential impact of early diuretic therapy on outcomes

OBJECTIVE

Acute heart failure (AHF) is one of the most common conditions presenting to the ED and patients often require hospitalisation. Emerging evidence suggests early diagnosis and administration of diuretics are associated with improved patient outcomes. Currently, there is limited literature on the management of AHF in the Australian ED context.

METHODS

A retrospective review of consecutive AHF presentations to the ED in a metropolitan hospital. Patient demographics, clinical status and management were assessed including timeliness of diuretics administration and association with outcomes including ED length of stay (LOS) and inpatient mortality using linear regression.

RESULTS

One hundred and ninety-one presentations (median age 81 years, 50.8% male) were identified. Common cardiovascular comorbidities were prevalent. Fifty-four patients (28.3%) had ≥1 clinical high-risk feature at presentation. The median time from presentation to furosemide administration was 187 min (interquartile range 97-279 min); only 35 patients received diuretics within 60 min of presentation. Early diuretics was associated with shorter ED LOS (246 min vs 275 min, P = 0.03) and a lower but non-significant inpatient mortality (4.9% vs 6.3%, P = 0.21) and a non-significant increased rate of discharge home from ED (8.6% vs 4.7%, P = 0.15). The likelihood of discharge home was significantly more pronounced in patients receiving early diuretics without clinical high-risk features (16.7% vs 4.3%, P = 0.028).

CONCLUSION

Despite symptoms and signs being well recognised at presentation, time to diuretics was relatively long. Early diuretics administration was associated with improved patient outcomes, particularly in clinically more stable patients. Due to the limitations of the study design, results should be interpreted with caution and warrant further research to identify factors that delay timely administration of diuretics.