What Precipitates Acute CHF Exacerbation?

Worsening clinical status accounts for much of the morbidity, mortality, and cost associated with congestive heart failure (CHF). Most notably, 6-month rehospitalization rates for worsening . . .

Worsening clinical status accounts for much of the morbidity, mortality, and cost associated with congestive heart failure (CHF). Most notably, 6-month rehospitalization rates for worsening CHF approach 50%. Understanding the precipitants of CHF exacerbation may lead to better therapies and may prevent rehospitalization.

In the multicenter, prospective Randomized Evaluation of Strategies for Left Ventricular Dysfunction pilot study, 768 CHF patients (mean age, 63) with ejection fractions of <40% were followed for up to 43 weeks. Researchers completed CHF event forms for all patients with worsening clinical status (whether or not rehospitalization was required) and identified factors they considered responsible for each patient's CHF exacerba…

Reviewing Author

William T. Abraham, MD