Heart failure in Norwegian hospital departments. Prevalence, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects
Klemsdal, T.O.; Mangschau, A.
Tidsskrift for den Norske Laegeforening Tidsskrift for Praktisk Medicin Ny Raekke 114(21): 2473-2476
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-2001 PMID: 7940446 Document Number: 423440
The prevalence of congestive heart failure was studied in the medical departments of eight Norwegian hospitals for two days. A mean of 179 patients with heart failure was identified, representing 20% of the total number of in-patients in the participating hospital departments. About 60% of the patients studied were over 70 years of age. There were equal numbers of men and women, but men dominated below 70 years. Ischemic heart disease (59%), valvular heart disease (15%) and hypertension (14%) were the most common primary heart diseases. The drugs used most frequently were diuretics (91%), digitalis (60%), nitrates (40%), and ACE-inhibitors (38%); the last were used more often among patients with severe heart failure (56%).