Early resource mobilization needed for acute heart failure patients during hospitalization surges

Nationwide data on the impact of COVID-19 on heart failure (HF) hospitalizations is lacking, according to a recent study. The study aimed to fill this gap in knowledge by analyzing data from the National Inpatient Sample database from 2017 to 2020. The researchers found that during the initial surge of COVID-19 in April 2020, HF hospitalizations decreased by 47% compared to January 2020. Although hospitalizations increased thereafter, they did not return to pre-pandemic levels.

The study also found that HF patients hospitalized during the pandemic had a higher complication burden compared to those hospitalized before the pandemic, indicating a sicker cohort of patients. Furthermore, those with concurrent COVID-19 infections had a significantly higher risk of inpatient mortality and longer adjusted length of stay.

The study highlights the need for early resource mobilization and preparedness to provide care to a vulnerable group of patients like those with acute heart failure. The authors emphasized that the pandemic’s consequences have worsened hospitalization outcomes, and the health systems need to be ready to manage such surges in the future.

Reference
Mishra T, Patel DA, Awadelkarim A, Sharma A, Patel N, Yadav N, Almas T, Alraies MC. A National Perspective on the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Heart Failure Hospitalizations in the United States. Curr Probl Cardiol. 2023;101749. doi: 10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2023.101749. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37087079.