Publications (1)3.37 Total impact
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Article: Factors Influencing the Length of Hospital Stay of Patients with Advanced Heart Failure in a Teaching Hospital in Ghana
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ABSTRACT: Background: Advanced heart failure is characterized by frequent hospital admissions and prolonged length of hospital stay. Meta analysis of clinical trials has shown that low left ventricular ejection fraction, severe renal impairment or diabetes mellitus are associated with longer hospital stay. Objective: To determine factors that influence the length of stay of advanced heart failure patients. Methods Design: Cohort study involved 583 patients with advanced heart failure. Patients enrolled had Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction of ≤30% and were 30 years or above in age. The patients’ length of stay at the hospital was determined by counting the days from admission till discharge. Patients: The patients had a mean age 62 years ±14.5 SD (95% CI, 60.8-63.2), 51% females and 49% males. The patients were assigned to Carvedilol, Bisoprolol and Control. Results: The mean length of hospital stay was 7.7 days ±2.9 (CI 7.6-8.0) with a minimum stay of 2 days and maximum stay of 19 days. More than 64.3% of the cohort stayed in the hospital for more than 7 days or longer. There was no difference in the length of hospital stay between patients admitted with advanced heart failure for the first time and those with one or more previous admissions and the 3 interventional groups. Conclusion: Longer length of stay, defined as >6 days was associated with the presence of peripheral congestion requiring treatment with intravenous diuretic, concomitant acute medical conditions like chronic kidney disease, stroke, diabetes mellitus and chronic anaemia. The fact that more than 52.5% of the patients in the study were in unstable and critical condition on admission contributed to longer days of hospital stay.The American Journal of Cardiology 06/2012; Vol 4(2012-9149-0002-9149):124-127. · 3.37 Impact Factor
