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Brazilian Journal of Clinical Medicine and Review

Health Review

Vol. 3 No. 1 (2025): January/December - 2025

Mortality of Individuals with Acute Heart Failure Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit: Integrative Literature Review

DOI
https://doi.org/10.52600/2965-0968.bjcmr.2025.3.1.bjcmr17
Submitted
July 4, 2024
Published
2024-09-18

Abstract

Acute heart failure occurs when urgent medical intervention is needed due to signs and symptoms resulting from functional and structural abnormalities of the heart. It is one of the most common causes of hospitalization in Brazil, with a high mortality rate. Thus, this article aims to highlight the aspects related to the mortality of this disease and the factors leading to unfavorable outcomes. Evidence points to predictors that increase the chance of mortality after hospitalization, such as male sex, myocardial infarction, chronic kidney disease, and cancer. Other factors that increase the likelihood of in-hospital mortality include stroke and pneumonia. The studies indicate a high admission rate of acute heart failure exacerbations in ICUs and the significant costs this imposes on the healthcare system. Additionally, further aspects related to mortality were observed throughout the research, such as PaCO2 levels, with lower admission levels being associated with higher mortality risk, prognostic scoring systems like NEWS-L, and non-invasive ventilation (NIV), which seemingly does not alter all-cause mortality within 30 days and may be associated with longer hospitalizations, with some exceptions. In conclusion, the predictors that influence and increase the chances of heart failure mortality are evident.

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