Epidemiological, Basic Science and Clinical Research Studies in Heart Failure

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Division of Cardiology, University of California-Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
Interests: heart failure; cardiovascular disease in women

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Despite advances in cardiovascular disease diagnostics and therapies, the prevalence of heart failure continues to rise, and it currently affects 6.7 million adults in the US. Heart failure adversely impacts quality of life and is also a leading cause of hospital admissions, morbidity, and mortality. The financial costs attributed to heart failure are exorbitant and are expected to rise further and reach USD 69.8 billion by 2030. Consequently, it is necessary to conduct more studies focused on improving our knowledge on the pathophysiological mechanisms that drive heart failure and preventive strategies that can be implemented to ameliorate heart failure risk across diverse populations. A better understanding of the factors that underlie differential responses to established heart failure therapies, as well as the impact of social determinants of health on heart failure outcomes, is also necessary. This Special Issue will expand the published evidence on heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF), and advanced heart failure by calling for epidemiological, basic science, and clinical research studies that will evaluate the following:

  1. The pathophysiological mechanisms that lead to heart failure, including the impact of racial/ethnic and gender differences;
  2. Traditional and emerging risk factors for heart failure and how they can be modified to reduce future heart failure risk through pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions;
  3. Diverse types of cardiomyopathies that can result in heart failure, including, but not limited to, cardiac amyloidosis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and sarcoidosis;
  4. The impact of social determinants of health on heart failure outcomes;
  5. Implementation science studies on the real-life effectiveness of heart failure interventions.

Dr. Imo A. Ebong
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • heart failure
  • cardiomyopathy
  • hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
  • sarcoidosis
  • amyloidosis
  • HFpEF
  • HFrEF
  • HFmrEF
  • advanced heart failure

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

19 pages, 1377 KiB  
Article
The Early Prediction of Patient Outcomes in Acute Heart Failure: A Retrospective Study
by Maria Boesing, Justas Suchina, Giorgia Lüthi-Corridori, Fabienne Jaun, Michael Brändle and Jörg D. Leuppi
J. Cardiovasc. Dev. Dis. 2025, 12(7), 236; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcdd12070236 - 20 Jun 2025
Viewed by 243
Abstract
Background: Acute heart failure (AHF) is a major cause of hospitalizations, posing significant challenges to healthcare systems. Despite advancements in management, the rate of poor outcomes remains high globally, emphasizing the need for timely interventions. This study aimed to identify early admission-based factors [...] Read more.
Background: Acute heart failure (AHF) is a major cause of hospitalizations, posing significant challenges to healthcare systems. Despite advancements in management, the rate of poor outcomes remains high globally, emphasizing the need for timely interventions. This study aimed to identify early admission-based factors predictive of poor outcomes in hospitalized AHF patients, in order to contribute to early risk stratification and optimize patient care. Methods: This retrospective single-center study analyzed routine data of adult patients hospitalized for AHF at a public university teaching hospital in Switzerland. Outcomes included in-hospital death, intensive care (ICU) treatment, and length of hospital stay (LOHS). Potential predictors were limited to routine parameters, readily available at admission. Missing predictor data was imputed and predictors were identified by means of multivariable regression analysis. Results: Data of 638 patients (median age 84 years, range 45–101 years, 50% female) were included in the study. In-hospital mortality was 7.1%, ICU admission rate 3.8%, and median LOHS was 8 days (IQR 5–12). Systolic blood pressure ≤ 100 mmHg (Odds ratio (OR) 3.8, p = 0.009), peripheral oxygen saturation ≤ 90% or oxygen supplementation (OR 5.9, p < 0.001), and peripheral edema (OR 2.7, p = 0.044) at hospital admission were identified as predictors of in-hospital death. Furthermore, a stroke or transient ischemic attack in the patient’s history (OR 3.2, p = 0.023) was associated with in-hospital death. ICU admission was associated with oxygen saturation ≤ 90% or oxygen supplementation (OR 22.9, p < 0.001). Factors linked to longer LOHS included oxygen saturation ≤ 90% or oxygen supplementation (IRR 1.2, p < 0.001), recent weight gain (IRR 1.1, p = 0.028), and concomitant chronic kidney disease (IRR 1.2, p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study validated established predictors of AHF outcomes in a Swiss cohort, highlighting the predictive value of poor perfusion status, fluid overload, and comorbidities such as chronic kidney disease. The identified predictors imply potential for developing tools to improve rapid treatment decisions. Future research should focus on the prospective external validation of the identified predictors and the design and validation of risk scores, incorporating these parameters to optimize early interventions and reduce adverse outcomes in AHF. Full article
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