The use of administrative databases to determine predictors for heart failure (HF) readmission, cardiovascular, or all-cause mortality (ACM) requires HF coding that is verifiable. It is assumed that administrative databases have HF verified via coders based on physician documentation and additional criteria.

Heart failure is a growing pandemic affecting approximately 6.2 million people in the US and 15 million people worldwide. Given its prevalence, high morbidity and mortality, and financial burden on our healthcare system, establishing strategies focused on improving therapeutic outcomes and prognosis has become a major priority.

In February 2023, a systematic review and meta-analysis of six randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with a total of 9,596 patients assessed the effectiveness and safety of omecamtiv mecarbil (OM) versus placebo in patients with heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFrEF) [1]. 

Atrial fibrillation (AF) affects 4% of individuals over 60 years old, an incidence rising to 9% in those over 80. For patients with symptomatic AF unresponsive to medication, catheter ablation is a common treatment, though it carries risks including cardiac tamponade, thromboembolic events, and rarely, atrio-esophageal fistula (AEF). AEF, a severe complication (up to 0.1%) with a mortality rate of 67%-100%, arises from thermal injury to the esophagus. Cardiac, neurologic or infection related symptoms appear 2 days to 6 weeks post-procedure.

Hyponatremia, defined as a serum sodium concentration below 135 mmol/L, is the most frequent electrolyte abnormality in hospitalized patients and is particularly prevalent among those with heart failure (HF). It affects 15–30% of HF admissions and reflects advanced disease characterized by persistent congestion, heightened neurohormonal activation, and impaired renal water handling.