Clinicoeconomic burden among heart failure patients with severely reduced ejection fraction after hospital admission: HF-RESTORE.

Background: An estimated two-thirds of heart failure (HF) patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) hospitalized in the United States have a severely reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF <30%). Few studies have categorized patients according to their severity of left ventricular dysfunction beyond an LVEF of <30%.

Methods and results: Intermountain Health patients (≥18 years) with a primary HF diagnosis, more than or equal to 1 inpatient hospitalization with a primary discharge diagnosis of HF, a documented LVEF of <30%, and a B-type natriuretic peptide >100 pg/mL within 1 year of hospitalization were studied. Patients were stratified by LVEF levels (≤15%, 16-25%, and 26-29%) and evaluated for death, HF hospitalization, healthcare resource utilization, and medical costs. Overall, 2184 patients (mean age 64.2 ± 15.5 years, 72.5% male) were stratified by LVEF [≤15%, n = 468 (21.4%); 16-25%, n = 1399 (64.1%); and 26-29%, n = 317 (14.5%)]. Lower LVEF was associated with younger age, male sex, and fewer comorbidities. Although 1-year mortality differed significantly between LVEF stratifications, which remained after adjustment by risk factors [vs. LVEF 26-29% (referent): ≤15%, hazard ratio (HR) = 1.92, P < 0.0001; and 16-25%, HR = 1.42, P = 0.01], mortality was similar by 3 years. HF hospitalizations at 1 and 3 years were similar among LVEF groups. Total HF costs-driven by increased HF outpatient costs-were significantly higher among LVEF of ≤15%.

Conclusion: Patients with an LVEF of ≤15% had a modestly increased risk of 1-year mortality, as well as significantly higher total HF costs. Patients with HFrEF and a severely reduced LVEF continue to face an increased clinicoeconomic burden, and novel therapies to treat this unmet medical need are warranted.