Risk factors associated with prolonged hospital stay in patients with acute heart failure

Abstract

Introduction: Acute heart failure is a frequent reason for consulting to emergency department, it generates long hospital stays and high costs for the health system. Objective: To determine the associated factors with prolonged hospital stay in patients hospitalized for acute heart failure in a teaching hospital. Methods: Retrospective cohort study, adult patients with acute heart failure were included. Demographic variables, comorbidities, and routine laboratory results were obtained. Prolonged hospitalization was defined as a stay greater than 5 and 10 days, respectively. Results: A total of 776 patients were included in the analysis, 56% were men, the mean age was 71.5 years, and ejection fraction was 39.8%. Factors associated with prolonged hospital stay were: age, elevated troponin, hyperglycemia, and albumin < 3 g/dl. For the 10-day cut-off, addi-tionally, systolic blood pressure, heart rate and elevation of natriuretic peptides were identified. Conclusions: Comprehensive evaluation of clinical variables and laboratory results is useful to identify patients at increased risk for prolonged hospital stays.