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Patients with AHF and preserved renal function are decongested better, as shown by an increase in hemoglobin. A rapid increase in hemoglobin during the first week is independently associated with a favorable outcome, despite a slight decrease in renal function.

AimsIn patients with acute heart failure (AHF), early worsening heart failure (WHF) predicts a significant proportion of post-discharge readmissions and mortality. We aimed to identify the predictors of 7-day heart failure events or death in patients hospitalized with AHF. Methods and resultsA predictive model and risk score for the short-term primary composite endpoint of 7-day death, HF rehospitalization, or WHF was created using variables collected within 24 h of admission from patients with complete data (n ¼ 2015) enrolled in the PROTECT trial of AHF patients. The 7-day composite was experienced by 294 patients (14.6%), with a mortality rate of 1.8% (n ¼ 37), HF rehospitalization rate of 0.5% (n ¼ 9), and WHF rate of 13.1% (n ¼ 264). In multivariable analyses, the strongest predictor of short-term morbidity and mortality was higher blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration. Additional independent predictors of a worse outcome were lower serum albumin, cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure, as well as higher heart rate and respiratory rate. Model coefficients were converted to an additive risk score for predicting the 7-day composite endpoint with a total point range of 0 -100. The risk score allowed discrimination of a wide spectrum of risk (4.8% risk with score ≤ 35, to 28.7% risk with score .55). ConclusionsUsing the PROTECT 7-day risk model and score, the main determinants of an adverse outcome for AHF patients included impaired metabolic status, neurohormonal activation, and reduced cardiac performance, gauged by BUN, serum albumin and cholesterol levels, systolic blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate.--

Background-Cardiac troponin T (cTnT) elevation is common and is a predictor of outcomes in patients with acute heart failure (AHF). The degree and progression of cTnT release during hospitalization of patients with AHF is unclear. We evaluated the incidence of cTnT release during AHF hospitalization and the relationship of cTnT release with outcomes. Methods and Results-The Placebo-controlled Randomized study of the selective A(1) adenosine receptor antagonist rolofylline for patients hospitalized with acute heart failure and volume Overload to assess Treatment Effect on Congestion and renal funcTion (PROTECT) pilot study was a multicenter, double-blind study of patients with AHF. Measurements of cTnT were collected at randomization and days 2, 3, 4, and 7. Patients were classified on the basis of their serum cTnT levels at baseline: positive (Ͼ0.03 ng/mL), detectable (Ͼ0.01 ng/mL), and negative (Յ0.01 ng/mL). A detectable cTnT level developed during the study (after baseline) was classified as cTnT conversion: 288 patients were included; 172 (60%) patients had detectable cTnT levels and 97 (34%) had positive values (Ͼ0.03 ng/mL) at baseline. Of the 116 patients with negative troponin at baseline, 24 (21%) had elevated cTnT levels by day 7. On multivariable analysis, positive cTnT at baseline was an independent predictor of the composite end point of cardiovascular/renal rehospitalization or death at 60 days (hazard ratio, 1.84; 95% confidence interval, 1.04 -3.26; Pϭ0.036). Kaplan-Meier curves showed similar worse outcomes in patients with troponin conversion and positive troponin at baseline. Conclusions-There was a high prevalence of baseline cTnT elevation in this cohort; 21% of those negative at baseline converted to detectable levels by day 7. Positive troponin at baseline, and conversion to positive levels, were associated with worse outcomes at 60 days. Clinical Trial Registration-URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifiers: NCT00328692 and NCT00354458. (Circ Heart Fail. 2011;4:724-732.)

The present analysis from PROTECT demonstrated that more weight loss was associated with early dyspnoea relief and reduced short-term mortality.

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Aims Previous heart failure (HF) trials suggested that age influences patient characteristics and outcome; however, under‐representation of elderly patients has limited characterization of this cohort. Whether standard prognostic variables have differential utility in various age groups is unclear. Methods and results The PROTECT trial investigated 2033 patients (median age 72 years) with acute HF randomized to rolofylline or placebo. Patients were divided into five groups based on the quintiles of age: ≤59, 60–68, 69–74, 75–79, and ≥80 years. Baseline characteristics, medications, and outcomes (30‐day death or cardiovascular/renal hospitalization, and death at 30 and 180 days) were explored. The prognostic utility of baseline characteristics for outcomes was investigated in the different groups and in those aged <80 years vs. ≥80 years. With increasing age, patients were more likely to be women with hypertension, AF, and higher EF. Increased age was associated with increased risk of 30‐ and 180‐day outcomes, which persisted after multivariable adjustment (hazard ratio for 180‐day death = 1.17; 95% confidence interval 1.11–1.24 for each 5‐year increase). The prognostic utility of baseline characteristics such as previous HF hospitalization and serum sodium, systolic blood pressure, and NYHA class was attenuated in the elderly for the endpoint of 180‐day mortality. An increase in albumin was associated with a greater reduction in risk in patients aged ≥80 years vs. <80 years. Conclusions In a large trial of acute HF, there were differences in baseline characteristics and outcomes amongst patients of different ages. Standard prognostic variables exhibit different utility in elderly patients.

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