Abstract:

Background: Heart failure decomposition is the worsening of signs and symptoms of heart failure which basically includes shortness of breath, difficulty breathing at rest or with minimum exertion, increased lower limb oedema and may require unplanned hospital visit or hospitalization at large. Many precipitating factors for heart failure decompensation have been identified and explained. These factors include non-adherence to medication, non-adherence to diet, arrhythmia, myocardial ischemia or infarction, worsening renal function, anaemia, pulmonary embolism, uncontrolled hypertension and infection.

Methodology: A retrospective study was conducted at Bugando Medical Centre. The study population was patient readmitted for heart failure from 1st January 2016 to 30th June 2019.

Results: Precipitating factors for heart failure decompensation were found in 97% of patients and 3% of patients had no identifiable precipitating factor. The most common precipitating factor was uncontrolled hypertension 30.5%, followed by infection 23%, worsening renal function 12% myocardial infarction/ischemia 11.5%, atrial fibrillation 8.5%, pulmonary embolism 6% anaemia 5.5% and 3% of patients had no identifiable precipitating factor. 78.5% of patients were discharged home after their clinical condition had improved and 21.5% of the patient died at the hospital.

Conclusion: Readmission after an initial diagnoses of heart failure is common. This is precipitated by factors such as uncontrolled hypertension ischemia/infraction anaemia worsening renal failure which are all preventable so with proper education the rate of readmission can be minimized.