Chart 2. Factors of worse prognosis in decompensated heart failure.
| Age (above 65 years) |
| Hyponatremia (sodium <130meq/L) |
| Impaired renal function |
| Anemia (hemoglobin <11g/dL) |
| Signs of peripheral hypoperfusion |
| Cachexia |
| Complete left bundle branch block |
| Atrial fibrillation |
| Restrictive pattern on Doppler |
| Persistent elevation of natriuretic peptides levels despite treatment |
| Persistent congestion |
| Persistent third heart sound |
| Sustained ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation |
Source: Bocchi et al(1).
DHF: decompensated heart failure.