Rapid identification of heart failure in the emergency department

text is taken directly from the submission site and printed as is HEART & LUNG VOL. 39, NO. 4 tested using the Wilcoxon Rank Sum test or Pearson’s chisquare test. Results: Of the 838 subjects enrolled, 575 (69%) had AHFS and 263 (31%) did not. The median age of subjects was 64 (IQR = 52, 76) and 466 (56%) were male. Those with heart failure had chief complaints of shortness of breath 68% of the time compared to 49% in those without (p < 0.001). Prior history of heart failure, outpatient diuretic use, presence of rales, jugular vein distention (JVD), and paroxysmal night dyspnea (PND) were also more common in those with AHFS than those without (all p < 0.007). Chest radiographs with findings of pulmonary edema, cardiomegaly and pleural effusion were also more common in subjects with AHFS(all p < 0.001). Conclusion: An AHFS diagnosis is more common in ED patients presenting with a history of heart failure, JVD, PND, lung sounds with rales and home diuretic use. Chest radiograph with pulmonary edema, cardiomegaly, and pleural effusion(s) were also associated with AHFS. Any of these findings should raise suspicion for AHFS when attempting to rapidly identify ED patients presenting with AHFS. In addition, the results may be used to identify patients for inclusion in AHFS workup and treatment protocols. HEALTH STATUS AND HEALTHRELATED QUALITY OF LIFE IN CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE K.A. Landry, College of Nursing, Texas A&M Health Science Center, College Station, TX Purpose: The major purpose of this study was to examine the health status and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of men and women with a diagnosis of CHF. Background: CHF is a serious chronic disease with high mortality. It affects 5 million Americans, and approximately 550,000 new cases will be diagnosed each year (AHA, 2006). According to the AHA (2004), 5 years after being diagnosed with CHF, the mortality rate is more than 50%. Under the age of 65, about 80% of men and 70% of women who have heart failure will die within 8 years (AHA, 2004). The problem is that there is very little information on gender differences and health outcomes as it relates to HRQOL and health status in CHF patients. www.heartandlung.org 347