Predictors of 1-year outcome in very old patients managed in a Heart Failure Unit after an acute decompensation

PURPOSE: Consensus exits about the clinical benefits of an early referral to multidisciplinary Heart Failure Unit-HFU for old frail patients with HF. Nevertheless, few data are present regarding the prognosis and the predictors of outcome in oldest–old patients managed in this clinical setting. The aim of present study is to identify predictors of 1-year all-cause mortality in very old patients enrolled in our multidisciplinary HFU after an episode of acute decompensated HF. METHODS: This study is a retro-prospective, single-center cohort analysis of patients managed in our multidisciplinary HFU. Inclusion criterion was diagnosis of HF according to ESC guidelines and age ≥ 85 years, while no exclusion criteria were pre-defined. Baseline clinical and comprehensive geriatric evaluations were recorded during the first visit and follow-up visits were repeated according to our standardized timetable protocol. Primary end-point was 1-year all-cause mortality. RESULTS: We enrolled 75 patients aged 89.2 ± 2.8 years; 39 (52.0%) were females. During 1-year follow-up, seventeen patients (22.7%) died. Residual congestion with higher level (> 4) of EVEREST score (HR 1.24: 95% CI 1.04–1.47) and living alone (HR 3.34: 95% CI 1.16–9.64) resulted the two independent predictors of 1-year all-cause mortality at the multivariate Cox regression model. Finally, patients living alone and with an EVEREST score > 4 experienced a worse prognosis as clearly described by a steeper descendent Kaplan–Meier curve. CONCLUSION: In a very old population of patients after an acute decompensated HF, residual congestion and social isolation as living alone identify those with high risk of 1-year death.