Table 1 Baseline characteristics in overall patients and according to final diagnosis
|  | All patients (n = 90) | AHFS group (n = 53) | Pulmonary group (n = 37) | P value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Mean age, yrs | 78.1 ± 9.9 | 77.7 ± 10.3 | 78.6 ± 9.2 | 0.662 |
Female sex | 45 (50.0) | 29 (54.7) | 16 (43.2) | 0.284 |
Medical history | ||||
 Prior hospitalization for heart failure | 42 (46.7) | 27 (50.9) | 15 (40.5) | 0.330 |
 Hypertension | 51 (56.7) | 38 (71.7) | 13 (35.1) | <0.001 |
 Dyslipidemia | 20 (22.2) | 16 (30.2) | 4 (10.8) | 0.029 |
 Diabetes | 11 (12.2) | 7 (13.2) | 4 (10.8) | 0.733 |
 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | 24 (26.7) | 13 (24.5) | 11 (29.7) | 0.583 |
 History of atrial fibrillation | 22 (24.4) | 12 (22.6) | 10 (27.0) | 0.634 |
Medications prior to admission | ||||
 Loop diuretic | 47 (52.2) | 31 (58.5) | 16 (43.2) | 0.154 |
 Spironolactone or Eplerenone | 31 (34.4) | 22 (41.5) | 9 (24.3) | 0.091 |
 ACE inhibitor or ARB | 45 (50.0) | 33 (62.3) | 12 (32.4) | 0.005 |
 Beta-blocker | 27 (30.0) | 17 (32.1) | 10 (27.0) | 0.607 |
 Calcium channel blocker | 13 (14.4) | 9 (16.9) | 4 (10.8) | 0.413 |
 Digoxin | 8 (8.9) | 6 (11.3) | 2 (5.4) | 0.332 |
Laboratory data | ||||
 Brain natriuretic peptide, pg/ml | 461.1 ± 451.9 | 622.0 ± 505.3 | 230.7 ± 208.2 | <0.001 |
 Blood urea nitrogen, mg/dl | 25.6 ± 14.3 | 26.0 ± 15.2 | 24.8 ± 13.0 | 0.701 |
 Serum creatinine, mg/dl | 1.07 ± 0.51 | 1.12 ± 0.58 | 0.99 ± 0.36 | 0.203 |
 C-reactive protein, mg/dl | 3.64 ± 5.73 | 1.96 ± 3.17 | 6.05 ± 7.52 | <0.001 |
Symptoms on admission | ||||
 Orthopnea | 42 (46.7) | 25 (47.2) | 17 (45.9) | 0.901 |
 Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea | 40 (44.4) | 28 (52.8) | 12 (32.4) | 0.055 |
 Peripheral edema | 48 (53.3) | 37 (69.8) | 11 (29.7) | <0.001 |
Signs on admission | ||||
 Rales | 56 (62.2) | 37 (69.8) | 19 (51.3) | 0.075 |
 Wheezing | 38 (42.2) | 20 (37.7) | 18 (48.6) | 0.302 |
 Jugular venous distension | 25 (27.8) | 19 (35.8) | 6 (16.2) | 0.041 |
 S3 | 19 (21.1) | 15 (28.3) | 4 (10.5) | 0.045 |
Ultrasound findings | ||||
 Pleural effusion | 18 (20.0) | 14 (26.4) | 4 (10.5) | 0.069 |
 Lung consolidation | 10 (11.1) | 1 (1.9) | 9 (24.3) | <0.001 |
 Reduced EF (LVEF <40%) | 22 (24.4) | 16 (17.8) | 6 (16.2) | 0.129 |
 MR ≥ moderate | 41 (45.6) | 41 (77.3) | 0 ( 0.0) | <0.001 |
 TR ≥ moderate | 38 (42.2) | 34 (64.5) | 4 (10.5) | <0.001 |
 IVC collapsibility <50% | 51 (56.7) | 44 (83.0) | 7 (18.9) | <0.001 |