Background/Introduction: Clinical outcome measures are the mainstay of cardiology trials. Congestive heart
failure (CHF) measures have traditionally focused on average length of stay (LOS) and rehospitalisation and
mortality rates. Purpose: We aimed to identify the significant factors of gender variability of CHF patients with
a reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Methods: We performed gender comparison of statistically relevant
variables using prospectively collected data of HFrEF patients hospitalised over a 12month
period. Results:
Of 174 consecutive patients, 135 (78%) were males and 39 (22%) were females. Compared to males, females
had a statistically significant older age (64 vs. 58; P < 0.001), higher ejection fraction (EF) (28% vs. 23%; P =
0.023) and no history of active smoking (0% vs. 16%; P = 0.005) and less use of beta blockers (76% vs. 93%;
P = 0.006), digitalis (2% vs. 12%; P = 0.009) and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist drugs (35% vs. 55%;
P = 0.025). After one year, both males and females had similar allcause
and heart failure hospitalisation and rehospitalisation
rates. Females showed no differences in inhouse
mortality, combined inhouse
mortality/30day
rehospitalisation
rates and composite myocardial infarction/stroke rates, compared to males. Males were more
likely to require defibrillator device implantation (34% vs. 12%; P = 0.008) Conclusion: Our findings showed
that female HFrEF patients had similar LOS; inhouse
mortality, hospitalisation and rehospitalisation rates; less
utilisation for implantable devices.