Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40205565›Full record

ArticleBMC geriatrics2025

Outcomes of early post-discharge cardio-geriatric care in frail patients after acute heart failure: a before-and-after study.

Chukwuma Okoye, Tessa Mazzarone, Alberto Finazzi, Guarino Daniela, Adriana Antonella Bruni, Lorenzo Maccioni, Giulia Pescatore, Maria Giovanna Bianco, Cinzia Guerrini, Andrea Giusti and 2 more

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in BMC geriatrics, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Observational
  2. Review
  3. Article
  4. The FTJournal of clinical medicine · 2025
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Chukwuma Okoye *School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza, 20900, Italy. chukwuma.okoye@unimib.it.
Tessa Mazzarone *Geriatrics Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Alberto FinazziSchool of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza, 20900, Italy.
Guarino DanielaGeriatrics Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Adriana Antonella BruniFondazione IRCCS San Gerardo Dei Tintori, Monza, Italy.
Lorenzo MaccioniGeriatrics Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Giulia PescatoreGeriatrics Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Maria Giovanna BiancoGeriatrics Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Cinzia GuerriniGeriatrics Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Andrea GiustiGeriatrics Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Giuseppe BellelliSchool of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza, 20900, Italy. giuseppe.bellelli@unimib.it.
Agostino VirdisGeriatrics Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDespite significant advancements in heart failure (HF) management, older adults continue to face poor clinical outcomes. While an integrated, multidisciplinary approach that combines cardiology and geriatric expertise has shown considerable promise, its adoption in practice remains limited. This study aimed to assess whether an early post-discharge Cardio-Geriatric (CG) outpatient service could reduce 1-year mortality compared to usual care (UC), as well as evaluate its impact on 1-year rehospitalization rates and days alive and out of hospital (DAOH).

methodsIn this single-center, controlled before-and-after study, patients aged ≥ 75 years hospitalized for acute HF were included. In the UC group, patients discharged between January 2018 and December 2019 received standard follow-up with referrals to a cardiologist and general practitioner. In the CG group, patients discharged between January 2020 and July 2022 attended CG ambulatory care within three weeks of discharge. Primary outcomes were one-year all-cause mortality, HF readmissions, and DOAH. The impact of CG follow-up was assessed using a 1:1 propensity score matched (PSM) analysis.

resultsA total of 652 patients (mean age 86 years, 56% female) were included in the study, with 477 receiving UC and 175 referred to CG follow-up. Following a 1:1 PSM of 350 patients (50% CG), we observed a significant reduction in 1-year rehospitalizations (36.5% vs. 50.8%, p < 0.001) and mortality (20.0% vs. 40.0%, p < 0.001) in the CG group. CG patients also had nearly double median DAOH compared to UC patients (300 [IQR: 100] vs. 162 [145] days, p < 0.001). Cox regression analysis confirmed that the CG integrated approach was independently associated with a lower risk of mortality [HR 0.34, 95% CI: 0.24-0.47]. Respiratory diseases, neurological conditions, and infections were common causes of readmission.

conclusionsEarly referral to a CG outpatients service post-discharge for acute HF significantly improves outcomes, highlighting the value of integrated care for older adults with complex needs.

Indexed as

Frail ElderlyHeart FailurePatient DischargeAcute DiseaseAgedAged, 80 and overAmbulatory CareFemaleFollow-Up StudiesHumansMalePatient ReadmissionCardiogeriatricsFollow-upHeart failureOutcomesOutpatients

Identifiers

PMID40205565
PMCPMC11983887

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.