Characteristics and outcomes of patients with cancer hospitalized with new onset acute heart failure.

Abstract

Limited evidence exists regarding the outcomes of cancer patients hospitalized with new onset acute heart failure (AHF). We assessed the in-hospital mortality and 1year outcomes of cancer patients admitted for new onset AHF, taking into account both past and active cancer status as well as cancer site. We examined administrative data of adult patients hospitalized with a first episode of AHF from 2003 to 2018 in Lombardy, Italy. Patients were categorized based on their cancer history. The primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality with secondary endpoints including 1year all-cause mortality and 1year re-hospitalization for AHF. Among 283144 patients AHF hospitalizations, 55145 (19%) involved patients with a history of cancer (60% past cancer, 40% active cancer). Both in-hospital and 1year mortality rates were higher among cancer patients compared with those without (9.3% vs. 6.4% and 34.9% vs. 22.3%, respectively; P<0.0001). After adjustment, cancer patients exhibited increased risk of in-hospital mortality [odds ratio (OR) 1.40; 99% confidence interval (CI) 1.34-1.46] and 1year mortality (HR 1.35; 99% CI 1.32-1.39), particularly among those with lung cancer. Patients with active and past cancer had a similar in-hospital mortality risk (OR 0.99; 99% CI 0.91-1.07) while 1year mortality risk was higher among those with active cancer (HR 1.26; 99% CI 1.21-1.31). Cancer is a prevalent comorbidity in patients hospitalized with new onset AHF, and it is associated with a poorer prognosis. Mortality risk appears to vary based on cancer status and type.