Ali Ahmed1, Richard Maisiak, Richard M Allman, James F DeLong, Robert Farmer. 1. Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, Center for Aging, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294-2041, USA. aahmed@uab.edu
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Left ventricular function evaluation and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor use are the two basic indicators of heart failure quality of care. In this retrospective follow-up study, we analyzed the association between these two quality indicators and mortality in elderly hospitalized heart failure patients. METHODS: The patients in our study were older Alabama Medicare beneficiaries discharged with a diagnosis of heart failure in 1994. Cox regression analyses, adjusted for various patient and care characteristics, were performed to estimate the overall mortality rate. RESULTS: The mean age of the 1,090 patients in our study was 79+/-7.5 years. Both left ventricular function evaluation (hazard ratio, 0.83; 95% confidence interval, 0.705-0.976) and ACE inhibitor use (hazard ratio, 0.77; 95% confidence interval, 0.655-0.905) were associated with a lower 3-year mortality rate. Adjustment for various patient and care characteristics did not alter these associations. CONCLUSION: Left ventricular function evaluation and ACE inhibitor use were each associated with increased survival time in older Medicare beneficiaries with heart failure.
BACKGROUND: Left ventricular function evaluation and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor use are the two basic indicators of heart failure quality of care. In this retrospective follow-up study, we analyzed the association between these two quality indicators and mortality in elderly hospitalized heart failurepatients. METHODS: The patients in our study were older Alabama Medicare beneficiaries discharged with a diagnosis of heart failure in 1994. Cox regression analyses, adjusted for various patient and care characteristics, were performed to estimate the overall mortality rate. RESULTS: The mean age of the 1,090 patients in our study was 79+/-7.5 years. Both left ventricular function evaluation (hazard ratio, 0.83; 95% confidence interval, 0.705-0.976) and ACE inhibitor use (hazard ratio, 0.77; 95% confidence interval, 0.655-0.905) were associated with a lower 3-year mortality rate. Adjustment for various patient and care characteristics did not alter these associations. CONCLUSION: Left ventricular function evaluation and ACE inhibitor use were each associated with increased survival time in older Medicare beneficiaries with heart failure.
Authors: Daniela Dobre; Dirk J van Veldhuisen; Mike J L DeJongste; Eric van Sonderen; Olaf H Klungel; Robbert Sanderman; Adelita V Ranchor; Flora M Haaijer-Ruskamp Journal: Br J Clin Pharmacol Date: 2007-08-31 Impact factor: 4.335
Authors: Margaret A Feller; Marjan Mujib; Yan Zhang; O James Ekundayo; Inmaculada B Aban; Gregg C Fonarow; Richard M Allman; Ali Ahmed Journal: Int J Cardiol Date: 2011-05-31 Impact factor: 4.164
Authors: Christopher J Rush; Ross T Campbell; Pardeep S Jhund; Mark C Petrie; John J V McMurray Journal: Eur Heart J Date: 2018-10-01 Impact factor: 29.983