Influence of sex and pregnancy on survival in patients admitted with heart failure: Data from a prospective multicenter registry

Identifier:  imarina:5133233

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/imarina5133233

Authors:  Martinez-Selles, Manuel; Diez-Villanueva, Pablo; Alvarez-Gracia, Jesus; Ferrero-Gregori, Andreu; Vives-Borras, Miquel; Worner, Fernando; Bardaji, Alfredo; Delgado, Juan F; Vazquez, Rafael; Gonzalez-Juanatey, Jose R; Fernandez-Aviles, Francisco; Cinca, Juan

Abstract:
Background Female sex is an independent predictor of better survival in patients with heart failure (HF), but the mechanism of this association is unknown. On the other hand, pregnancies have a strong influence on the cardiovascular system. Hypothesis Sex and previous gestations might have a prognostic impact on 1‐year mortality in patients admitted with HF. Methods We conducted an observational, prospective, consecutive, multicenter registry of 1831 patients (756 females [41.2%]) admitted with HF. Results Females had a more advanced age (75.2 ±11.4 vs 70.4 ±12.2 years), less ischemic heart disease (167 [25.3%] vs 446 [47.3%]), and higher left ventricular ejection fraction (52.0% ±16.6% vs 41.1% ±17.0%) than did men (all P values <0.001). During 1‐year follow‐up, 373 (20.4%) patients died (151 females and 222 males). Female sex was an independent predictor for survival (hazard ratio: 0.79, 95% confidence interval: 0.64-0.98, P = 0.03). In 504 women (65.9%), the exact number of previous pregnancies could be determined; 62 women (12.3%) had no previous pregnancies, 288 (57.1%) women had 1 or 2 pregnancies, and 154 women (30.6%) had ≥3 pregnancies. We found an association between the number of previous gestations and better survival (hazard ratio: 0.878, 95% confidence interval: 0.773-0.997, P = 0.045). Conclusions In patients admitted with HF, female sex and the number of previous pregnancies are independently associated with better 1‐year survival.