Table 1.
Baseline characteristics of the study population as a function of in-hospital mortality.
| HF Mortality (n = 49) | HF no Mortality (n = 780) | p-Value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age, year | 73.5 ± 2 | 73.8 ± 1.5 | 0.25 |
| Female sex | 13 (26.5) | 220 (28.2) | 0.80 |
| Cardiovascular risk factors | |||
| Hypertension | 25 (51) | 500 (64.1) | 0.06 |
| Smoking | 24 (49) | 413 (52.9) | 0.58 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 20 (40.8) | 339 (43.5) | 0.71 |
| Hypercholesterolemia | 30 (61.2) | 454 (58.2) | 0.67 |
| Medical history | |||
| Previous HF episode | 33 (67.3) | 462 (59.2) | 0.26 |
| Previous chronic IHD | 8 (16.3) | 179 (22.9) | 0.28 |
| Atrial fibrillation | 10 (20.4) | 242 (31) | 0.11 |
| COPD | 12 (24.5) | 126 (16.2) | 0.12 |
| Biochemistry | |||
| Hemoglobin (g/dL) | 11.95 ± 1.65 | 11.73 ± 1.73 | 0.37 |
| BNP (pg/mL) | 1295.8 (937.8–1769) | 1339.6 (925.6-1961.8) | 0.29 |
| Sodium (mg/dL) | 138.31 ± 2.88 | 138.32 ± 3.15 | 0.98 |
| Clinical data | |||
| LVEF (%) | 49.47 ± 12.40 | 50.86 ± 11.04 | 0.39 |
| Hospital stay (d) | 10.59 ± 3.67 | 10.37 ± 3.77 | 0.66 |
| Charlson index | 4.73 ± 0.78 | 4.71 ± 0.74 | 0.84 |
| HF precipitating factors | 0.73 | ||
| Therapeutic non-compliance | 2 (4) | 59 (7.9) | |
| Rapid atrial fibrillation | 25 (52.1) | 365 (48.8) | |
| Infections | 12 (25) | 208 (27.7) | |
| Unknown precipitating factors | 14 (28.5) | 144 (18.4) | |
| In-hospital treatment | |||
| Furosemide | 49 (100) | 780 (100) | - |
| Spironolactone / Eplerenone | 31 (63.3) | 499 (64) | 0.92 |
| Beta blockers | 32 (65.3) | 462 (59.5) | 0.41 |
| ACEI | 36 (73.5) | 540 (69.2) | 0.53 |
| ARA-II | 13 (26.5) | 240 (30.8) | 0.53 |
| Number of patients exposed to PM10 ≥ 50 μg/m3 during Saharan dust events | 42 (85.7) | 318 (40.8) | <0.0001 |
| PM10 (μg/m3) | 84.7 (71.5–95.8) | 15.3 (9.7–26.4) | <0.0001 |
| PM2.5 (μg/m3) | 29.9 (23.3–36.1) | 6.9 (5.6–12.5) | <0.0001 |
| PM2.5-10 (μg/m3) | 57.6 (37.5–68.8) | 8.3 (5.6–13.9) | <0.0001 |
Continuous values are expressed as mean ± standard deviation or median (Q1: Q3), categorical values with n (%). ACEI, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor; ARA II, angiotensin II receptor antagonists; BNP, brain natriuretic peptide; COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; HF, heart failure; IHD, ischemic heart disease; LVEF, left ventricular ejection fraction; PM, particulate matter.