Chronic heart failure in younger patients: temporal trends in clinical characteristics, treatment and outcomes over two decades in a nationwide cardiology registry

Abstract

Abstract Aim of the study We analyzed the temporal trends in characteristics, therapy and outcomes over two decades of younger chronic heart failure (CHF) patients enrolled in our nationwide registry. Methods Among the 14823 CHF patients enrolled in the registry since January 1999 through May 2018, 5465 (37%) were aged<65 years (78% men, 54+9 years, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 36+11%). Patients were divided into 3 cohorts according with the recruitment epoch: 1999–2005; 2006–2011; 2012–2018. We analyzed trends over time of clinical characteristics, therapy, one-year all-cause mortality, all-cause mortality and/or all-cause hospitalization, all-cause mortality and/or CV hospitalization, and all-cause mortality and/or HF hospitalization. Results From 1999 to 2018 the proportion of patients <65 years declined: 42% in first (2288/5404), 37% in second (1464/3971), 31% in third period (1713/5448). As shown in the Table, the proportion of women, diabetes, ischemic etiology and renin-angiotensin system inhibitor prescription did not change significantly among the three enrollment epochs, whereas preserved LVEF phenotype and prevalence of its driving risk factors increased. The proportion of guideline-recommended drug & device therapies significantly rose over time. All-cause mortality at 1-year follow-up decreased significantly across the 3 epochs studied (Figure). Conclusions During 20 years, the clinical characteristics, the implementation of recommended treatments and prognosis of patients <65 years enrolled in a nationwide cardiology registry have deeply changed. These modifications reflect the evolution of cardiovascular risk factors and improved management strategies of CV disease. Figure 1 Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Fondazione per il Tuo cuore – HCF onlus