Lower albumin levels are associated with 1-year mortality in older patients hospitalized for acute heart failure: THE ALBIMED-HF study

Hypoalbuminemia (i.e., albumin levels <= 3.5 g/dL) is a negative prognostic marker in several conditions, including acute heart failure (AHF). Hypoalbuminemia is common in patients hospitalized in Internal Medicine (IM) divisions. However, its role in predicting long-term mortality in AHF patients hospitalized in this setting is not clear. In THE ALBIMED-HF study, all patients hospitalized for AHF in the First Division of Internal Medicine at Ospedale di Circolo and Fondazione Macchi (ASST Sette Laghi, Varese, Italy) between January 1st and December 31st 2022 were retrospectively included. Clinical information was retrieved from patient electronic medical records. Four hundred and ninety-eight patients were considered for the present study (median age 85 [78-89] years). Median Charlson Comorbidity Index was 6 [5-7]. Heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction was found in 40.6% of patients (N = 202/498). Median albumin levels were 3.2 [2.8-3.5] g/dL and hypoalbuminemia was recorded in 76.5% of patients (N = 381/498). At 12 months, 221 out of 498 patients (44.4%) died, and mortality was significantly higher in patients with hypoalbuminemia than in those without (N = 185/381 [48.6%] vs. N = 36/117 [30.8%], p < 0.001). Patients who died within 12 months were older, suffered more frequently from chronic kidney disease and active cancer, and exhibited higher C-reactive protein levels. At the multivariable analysis, hypoalbuminemia was independently associated with 12-month all-cause mortality (HR 2.41, 95% confidence interval 1.20-4.83). Hypoalbuminemia was independently associated with 12-month all-cause mortality in older patients with multiple comorbidities hospitalized for AHF in an IM division.