One-year mortality rates for heart failure patients in India reveal stark differences based on disease etiology, according to the National Heart Failure Registry.
The registry, which encompasses data from over 10,000 patients, highlights the predominance of ischemic heart disease as the leading cause of heart failure. Patients with ischemic heart disease exhibited lower mortality rates compared to those diagnosed with rheumatic heart disease and infective endocarditis.
The findings, released recently, stem from comprehensive data collected between January 2019 and July 2020 from 53 hospitals situated across 21 states and four union territories of India.
Heart failure is increasingly recognized as a major public health concern, especially within economically disadvantaged areas where healthcare access can be inconsistent and inadequate. Researchers have indicated the high mortality rates reported, with approximately 22.1% of patients succumbing within one year, signal the need for improved therapeutic strategies.
Among the various causes, ischemic heart disease (IHD) was identified as the primary etiology for 71.9% of participants, followed by dilated cardiomyopathy at 17.3%. Mortality rates varied widely, from as low as 13.8 deaths per 100 person-years for patients with peri-partum cardiomyopathy to over 92 for those suffering from infective endocarditis.
Notably, the differential mortality risk was significant; compared to patients with ischemic heart disease, those with rheumatic heart disease had double the mortality risk, congenital heart disease posed nearly three times the risk, and infective endocarditis was associated with more than quadruple the risk of death.
The authors of the article emphasized the importance of these findings: “A one-year mortality rate of 22.1% highlights the urgent need for improved heart failure management strategies focused on disease etiology.” This sentiment echoes through the medical community, underscoring the necessity for targeted intervention.
Clinical follow-up revealed readmission rates of 17.2%, with infective endocarditis leading to the highest re-admission rate, followed closely by congenital heart disease and restrictive cardiomyopathy. Conversely, those experiencing peri-partum cardiomyopathy had markedly lower readmission rates.
The research proposes significant public health implications, raising questions about resource allocation, potential screening programs, and lifestyle interventions geared toward addressing the gaps for patients at high risk.
Highlighting the disparities observed between populations from low- and middle-income countries versus high-income nations, the authors pointed out the necessity of tailoring health strategies accordingly. By providing this comprehensive data set, the National Heart Failure Registry strives to catalyze improvements within patient care and management, improving outcomes for vulnerable populations.
Such efforts mark the beginning of what must be seen as urgent action toward addressing the broader public health challenge posed by heart failure, particularly among diverse populations facing distinct risk factors and disease presentations.
Overall, the registry serves not merely as data collection but as a constructive resource for reshaping the approach to heart failure management within India and beyond.