Valvular Heart Failure as a Distinct Group in Acute Decompensated Heart Failure.

Background: Functional mitral and tricuspid regurgitation (fMR and fTR, respectively) portend increased morbidity and mortality among heart failure (HF) patients.

Objectives: To characterize acute decompensated valvular HF (VHF) as a novel HF category, defined by presence of either more than moderate fTR or more than moderate fMR with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤ 50%.

Methods: Patients with VHF were prospectively enrolled over a 6-month period and compared to acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) patients without significant fTR or fMR. We used a standardized diuretic protocol when indicated, and appropriate inpatient guideline-directed medical therapy was initiated.

Results: Among 322 patients admitted with ADHF, 83 (26%) met VHF criteria with mean age 66 ± 13 years, 43 (52%) males, and median LVEF of 30% (20-55). Of 61 patients in whom the diuretic protocol was initiated, 59 (97%) had an adequate response (i.e., > 100 cc/hour for at least 6 hours). VHF patients had longer length of hospitalization (8 [5-13] vs. 5 [3-8] days, P < 0.001), and higher rates of 90-day heart replacement therapy (HRT) or death (hazard ratio 2.52, 95% confidence interval (1.13-5.64); P = 0.024).

Conclusions: Over a quarter of ADHF patients can be newly categorized as VHF patients, distinguished by prolonged hospitalization and worse 90-day mortality / HRT rate. The initial response rate to a standardized diuretic protocol was high.