Study finds obese patients fair better than lean patients when hospitalized for acute heart failureJanuary 10, 2007Further evidence of the 'obesity paradox' FINDINGS: Researchers report that for patients hospitalized with acute heart failure, a higher body mass index (BMI) was associated with a substantially lower in-hospital mortality rate. For every 5-unit increase in body mass, the odds of risk-adjusted mortality fell 10 percent. The finding held when adjusted for age, sex, blood urea nitrogen, blood pressure, and additional prognostic factors. IMPACT: The finding offers more insight into an observed phenomenon in chronic heart failure called the 'obesity paradox.' This is the first study to document that this inverse relationship with BMI holds in the setting of acute hospitalization for heart failure. Further study is required but the finding suggests that nutritional/metabolic support may have therapeutic benefit in specific patients hospitalized with heart failure.
BACKGROUND: The study found that by weight category, in-hospital mortality rate was 6.3 percent for underweight, 4.6 percent for healthy weight, 3.4 percent for overweight and 2.4 percent for obese patients. "The study suggests that overweight and obese patients may have a greater metabolic reserve to call upon during an acute heart failure episode, which may lessen in-hospital mortality risk," said Fonarow. Obesity is a known risk factor for developing heart disease and heart failure and every effort should be made to avoid it, but once heart failure has manifested, this paradox seems to occur. Researchers utilized data on over 100,000 acute heart failure patient episodes, taken from the Acute Decompensated Heart Failure National Registry (ADHERE). The study and ADHERE is funded by Scios, Inc. The authors have received research grants and served as consultants for Scios. University of California-Los Angeles | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Related Heart Failure Current Events and Heart Failure News Articles First Trial in the U.S. to Treat Both Ischemic & Non-Ischemic Heart Failure to be Performed by U of U Researchers Using Patient's Own Stem Cells Researchers at the University of Utah are enrolling people in a new clinical trial that uses a patient's own stem cells to treat ischemic and non-ischemic heart failure. Scientists map steps to block key enzyme action in heart failure Taking a cue from the way drugs like Viagra put the biological brakes on a key enzyme involved in heart failure, scientists at Johns Hopkins have mapped out a key chemical step involved in blocking the enzyme. Study shows direct link between leptin and obesity-related cardiovascular disease Obese people who don't have high cholesterol or diabetes might think they're healthy - despite the extra pounds. First trial of gene therapy for advanced heart failure shows promising results Phase I results of the first clinical trial of gene therapy for patients with advanced heart failure show the approach to be promising, with improvements in several measures of the condition's severity. Study reveals continued damage from banned obesity drug Fenfluramine, the appetite suppressant drug banned in the US in 1997 due to fears over its links to heart conditions, has been shown to have serious long-term effects. Mayo Clinic study finds risk of sudden cardiac death highest early after attack People who survive a heart attack face the greatest risk of dying from sudden cardiac death (SCD) during the first month after leaving the hospital, according to a long-term community study by Mayo Clinic researchers of nearly 3,000 heart attack survivors. Risk of sudden cardiac death appears increased within 30 days of heart attack The risk of sudden cardiac death following a heart attack has declined significantly in the past 30 years, although patients appear to be at elevated risk for sudden cardiac death for the first month after having a heart attack, after which time their risk decreases unless they develop heart failure, according to a study in the November 5 issue of JAMA. In first national survey, patients give low scores to hospitals The quality of hospitals across the U.S. is inconsistent. To address this issue, the federal government and private organizations have begun to publicly report data, such as how well hospitals treat certain conditions. Grapes may aid a bunch of heart risk factors, animal study finds Could eating grapes help fight high blood pressure related to a salty diet? And could grapes calm other factors that are also related to heart diseases such as heart failure? A new University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center study suggests so. Research uncovers new steps on pathway to enlarged heart Researchers have new insight into the mechanisms that underlie a pathological increase in the size of the heart. The research, published by Cell Press in the October 24th issue of the journal Molecular Cell, may lead to the development of new strategies for managing this extremely common cardiac ailment that often leads to heart failure. More Heart Failure Current Events and Heart Failure News Articles |
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