Risk factors for acute decompensated heart failure in type 2 diabetes patients

Aim. To identify risk factors for acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Material and methods. In the cardiology department, 129 patients with ADHF were registered within 8 months, 59 (45,7%) of them had T2D. The study included 117 ADHF patients who were divided into two groups depending on the presence of T2D: group 1 (n=49; 41,9%)  — patients with T2D, group 2 (n=67; 55,9%) without T2D. The ADHF was verified by rapid progress of hypoperfusion and congestion, which required emergency hospitalization and inotropic and/or intravenous diuretic therapy. In the first 48 hours of hospitalization, echocardiography was performed, levels of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and creatinine were determined; the glomerular filtration rate was estimated.

Results. The incidence of T2D among patients with ADHF was 45,7%. There were following risk factors for ADHF in T2D patients: diabetic ketoacidosis (p=0,002), hypertensive crisis (p=0,017), history of acute coronary syndrome (p=0,048), atrial fibrillation (p=0,030), chronic kidney disease (p=0,003), pneumonia (p=0,035), progression of anemia (p=0,049), low prevalence of beta-blockers use (p=0,001), use of inappropriate antidiabetic drugs for HF patients (sulfonylureas, insulin). ADHF, assessed by NT-proBNP level, was significantly more severe in T2D patients (p=0,001) with pronounced congestion symptoms (p=0,001), which led to an increase in the need for diuretic therapy (p=0,002). Cardiac remodeling in T2D patients with ADHF is characterized mainly by the preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), severe LV diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) and LV hypertrophy (LVH).

Conclusion. The development of ADHF in T2D patients is associated with various risk factors and is characterized by severe congestion symptoms, high need for diuretic therapy, mainly preserved LVEF in combination with severe LVDD and LVH. 

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