Author(s): Brito, Joana ; Rin, João ; Duarte, Catarina ; Couto Pereira, Sara Cristina ; Morais, Pedro ; Cunha, Nelson ; Ferreira, Diogo ; Santos, Rafael ; Rigueira, Joana ; Pinto, Fausto J. ; Brito, Dulce
Date: 2025
Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.5/100180
Origin: Repositório da Universidade de Lisboa
Subject(s): Heart failure; Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; Cardiovascular risk
Introduction and objectives: The association of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and prognosis in patients with heart failure (HF) remains uncertain. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of LDL-C in patients admitted for acutely decompensated HF and establish a safety cut-off value in this population. Methods: This retrospective, observational study included 167 consecutive patients admitted for acute HF. LDL-C levels were measured on hospital admission, and patients were categorized according to their estimated cardiovascular (CV) risk. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality at one-year, while secondary endpoints included HF hospitalizations, major thrombotic events, and net clinical benefit. Results: During the follow-up period, 14.4% of patients died. Higher LDL-C levels were independently associated with improved survival, with a 4-fold increase in survival probability for each 1 mg/dL increase in serum LDL-C. The minimum LDL-C value not associated with increased mortality risk was 88 mg/dL. Patients with LDL-C below this cut-off had a significantly higher risk of mortality and a tendency for higher HF hospitalization risk. The net clinical benefit endpoint was also influenced by LDL-C levels, with LDL-C below 88 mg/dL associated with an increased risk of events. Conclusion: In patients admitted for acutely decompensated HF, higher LDL-C levels were associated with reduced risk of mortality. An LDL-C value below 88 mg/dL was associated with increased mortality, suggesting the need for a more liberal LDL-C target in this specific patient population. These findings highlight the importance of considering LDL-C levels in the management and risk assessment of patients with HF.
