Clinical characteristics of elderly patients with sepsis combined with heart failure and the risk factors analysis

Abstract

Objective To investigate clinical characteristics of elderly patients with sepsis combined with congestive heart failure and risk factors for short-term mortality. Methods Clinical data of elderly patients with sepsis combined with congestive heart failure who were admitted in our hospital from January 2013 to January 2018 were selected and retrospectively analyzed.They were divided into the survival group(n=134)and the death group(n=83)according to survival status during hospitalization.The clinical characteristics and risk factors for mortality were analyzed and compared. Results A total of 217 elderly patients were enrolled, with 113 males and a mean age of(72.3±7.5)years.The death rate of sepsis was 38.3%(83/217 cases), and 29 cases died of sepsis and 54 cases died of other diseases.Pneumonia accounted for 78.8%(171/217 patients)in all patients of two groups, and skin and soft tissue infection for 12.9%(28/217 cases). There were significant differences between two groups in age, body mass index, smoking, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, mean arterial pressure, arterial oxygen partial pressure(PaO2), C-reactive protein, white blood cell counts, neutrophil and lymphocyte counts, glomerular filtration rate, serum sodium level, albumin level, lactate level, and left ventricular ejection fraction(P<0.05). Furthermore, the rates of invasive mechanical ventilation and continuous renal replacement therapy were higher in the death group than in the survival group(χ2=13.209 and 7.402, P<0.001 and 0.007). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that advanced age, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, low albumin level and low glomerular filtration rate were risk factors for mortality(P<0.05). Conclusions Elderly patients with sepsis combined with congestive heart failure often have severe pneumonia and violent skin and soft tissue infection, with worse heart and renal function.Advanced age, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, low albumin level and low glomerular filtration rate are risk factors for mortality. Key words: Sepsis; Heart failure; Risk factor