Table 1.
Clinical characteristics and treatment prescribed on discharge of 1252 patients with congestive heart failure whose left ventricular systolic function was evaluated echocardiographically
| Variable | Mean (SD) or number (%) |
| Age (years) | 69.4 (11.7) |
| <75 | 838 (66.9%) |
| ⩾75 | 414 (33.1%) |
| Sex | |
| Men | 767 (61.3%) |
| Women | 485 (38.7%) |
| Time in hospital (days) | 14.4 (12.1) |
| Risk factors | |
| Arterial hypertension | 693 (55.4%) |
| Hyperlipidaemia | 419 (33.5%) |
| Diabetes mellitus | 335 (26.8%) |
| Smoking | 390 (31.2%) |
| Underlying cardiopathy | |
| Ischaemic cardiopathy | 616 (49.2%) |
| Valve disease | 260 (20.8%) |
| Dilated cardiomyopathy | 116 (9.2%) |
| Other | 260 (20.8%) |
| Clinical signs | |
| NYHA class IV | 522 (41.7%) |
| Rales | 958 (76.5%) |
| Jugular vein congestion | 562 (44.9%) |
| Hepatomegaly | 292 (23.3%) |
| Third heart sound | 165 (13.2%) |
| Radiographic signs | |
| Cardiomegaly | 994 (79.4%) |
| Flow redistribution | 808 (64.5%) |
| Interstitial oedema | 623 (49.8%) |
| Alveolar oedema | 152 (12.1%) |
| Pleural effusion | 243 (19.4%) |
| ECG signs | |
| Sinus rhythm | 675 (53.9%) |
| Atrial fibrillation | 424 (33.9%) |
| Pathological Q waves | 260 (20.8%) |
| LBBB | 196 (15.7%) |
| Echocardiography | |
| LVEF <50% | 754 (60.2%) |
| LVEF ⩾50% | 498 (39.8%) |
| Drug treatment | |
| Digoxin | 386 (30.8%) |
| Diuretics | 948 (75.7%) |
| ACE inhibitors | 785 (62.7%) |
| ARB | 65 (5.2%) |
| Spironolactone | 162 (12.9%) |
| Nitrates | 545 (43.5%) |
| Hydralazine | 59 (4.7%) |
| Vasodilators | 79 (6.3%) |
| Calcium antagonists | 237 (18.9%) |
| β Blockers | 351 (28.0%) |
| Amiodarone | 199 (15.9%) |
| Antiplatelet agents | 710 (56.7%) |
| Anticoagulants | 336 (26.8%) |
ACE, angiotensin converting enzyme; ARB, angiotensin II receptor blocker; LBBB, left bundle branch block; LVEF, left ventricular ejection fraction; NYHA, New York Heart Association.