Epidemiology of Heart Failure in Elderly Patients

Abstract

Introduction: Heart Failure (HF) is one of the leading mortality causes in elderly people. The goal of this study is to explore the epidemiological trends of HF in the elderly patients. Methods: We explored medical records of elderly patients with HF (75 years and more) at Chapidze Emergency Cardiology Center (within 2015-2019 years). We analyzed the structure of the cardiovascular diseases and readmission rates of hospitalized patients with HF (I50, I50.0 I50.1). Results, Discussion: The major complication of cardiovascular diseases in elderly patients is Heart Failure (68.6%). Hospitalization rates due to the HF in elderly patients were increased during the past years, which is associated with the population aging process. This trend will be most likely continued
during the next years. Despite significant improvements in the HF treatment, readmission rates are still high. HF is the most commonly revealed cause of readmission (48% of all readmissions). 6-9 months after the primary hospitalization due to HF, readmission for any reason was 60%. Patients had concomitant diseases including hypertension (43%), myocardial infarction (14%), diabetes (36%), and stroke (8%), affecting the readmission rate. The Study showed that patients without cardiac implants within primary hospitalization had higher readmission and mortality rates. Conclusion, Recommendations: HF remains an important problem in Public Health. During HF associated hospitalization both cardiac and non-cardiac conditions should be addressed. The
study provides new information regarding features and outcomes in elderly patients with HF in Georgia. The study allows us to identify further areas of research for elderly patients with HF.