Serum sodium level is a major predictor of a poor prognosis for heart failure patients

Findings presented at ACC Scientific Sessions show improving serum sodium levels may improve outcomes -


Research presented today at the American College of Cardiology's Scientific Sessions in Orlando pinpoints a major marker of a
poor prognosis for heart failure, hyponatremia, or a lower than normal concentration of serum or blood sodium. Researchers
found that hyponatremia, which is found in almost a quarter of patients with severe heart failure, doubled death rates within
60 days of hospital discharge. Serum sodium levels are easily measured through routine blood tests.


"Even a minor decrease in a person's serum sodium level - levels that are now dismissed by physicians - had a major impact on
mortality of heart failure patients," says Mihai Gheorghiade, MD, associate chief, Division of Cardiology, Northwestern
Memorial Hospital and Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, and lead presenter of the findings from the ESCAPE
trial during a poster session on Monday.


Heart failure is a major health threat in this country, resulting in 1 million hospital admissions each year. "These findings
illustrate that not all heart failure is created equally - heart failure accompanied with hyponatremia is especially
dangerous. Levels of serum sodium may prove a useful and easily accessible risk assessment tool in the clinical management of
patients hospitalized for heart failure," says Dr. Gheorghiade.


The good news is that a separate study presented Monday by Dr. Gheorghiade showed that improvement in sodium serum levels
during hospitalization was associated with improved outcomes. In the ACTIV trial, patients with a serum sodiuim improvement
at hospital discharge had a 15.6 percent mortality rate at 60 days post discharge, compared with a 30.4 percent mortality
rate in those showing no improvement. "Currently, the medical community is not paying much attention to serum sodium levels
in heart failure patients. However, serum sodium appears to be a modifiable target that can be treated," says Dr.
Gheorghiade.


A paper authored by Dr. Gheorghiade and published in JAMA in April of 2004 found that the medication tolvaptan was a
promising addition to standard therapy for patients hospitalized with heart failure. In addition to reducing fluid buildup
and decreasing body weight, tolvaptan improved serum sodium levels in patients with hyponatremia. "This is important because
previously, we have not had very effective therapies for treating hyponatremia in patients with heart failure. Now, we think
it can be treated, and we have an understanding that treating it can make a huge difference for the patient," says Dr.
Gheorghiade.


Sodium is an electrolyte that helps with nerve and muscle function, and also helps to maintain blood pressure. Hyponatremia
most commonly occurs in people whose kidneys do not function properly, as well as in those with heart failure, cirrhosis of
the liver, and Addison's disease. Sodium must be maintained at a specific concentration in the blood and the fluid
surrounding the body's cells for the body to function properly.















About Northwestern Memorial Hospital


Northwestern Memorial Hospital is one of the country's premier academic medical centers and is the primary teaching hospital
of Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine. Northwestern Memorial and its Prentice Women's Hospital and Stone
Institute of Psychiatry have 744 beds and more than 1,200 affiliated physicians and 5,000 employees. Providing
state-of-the-art care, Northwestern Memorial is recognized for its outstanding clinical and surgical advancements in such
areas as cardiothoracic and vascular care, gastroenterology, neurology and neurosurgery, oncology, organ and bone marrow
transplantation, and women's health.


Northwestern Memorial was ranked as the nation's 5th best hospital by the 2002 Consumer Checkbook survey of the nation's
physicians and is listed in the majority of specialties in this year's US News & World Report's issue of "America's Best
Hospitals." The hospital is also cited as one of the "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers" by Working Mother magazine and
has been chosen by Chicagoans year after year as their "most preferred hospital" in National Research Corporation's annual
survey.


About the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute


The Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at Northwestern Memorial Hospital is a world-class heart program offering comprehensive
services and state-of-the-art surgical treatments in all areas of cardiovascular care. Recently named by Solucient, an
industry-leading healthcare information provider, as the only Chicago hospital on its list of the country's 100 Top
Cardiovascular Hospitals, Northwestern Memorial Hospital offers a timely response to referrals and a multidisciplinary
approach that joins physicians, nurses and a range of other medical specialists and caregivers from Cardiology, Cardiac
Surgery, Vascular Surgery, Cardiovascular Anesthesiology and Radiology from evaluation to follow-up. Patients benefit from
the latest minimally invasive surgical techniques and are offered the opportunity to participate in a range of clinical
research trials.


Advanced Cardiovascular Care


Patients referred to the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute experience a healthcare environment in which the most advanced
diagnostic and treatment options are supported by state-of-the-art technology and a commitment to medical excellence through
research. Expertise is available in all areas of cardiovascular care, including:


Cardiac Surgery


-- Valve repair and replacement

-- MAZE and atrial fibrillation ablation procedures

-- Coronary artery bypass with arterial conduits

-- LV and aortic aneurysm repair

-- Congestive heart failure surgery

-- Ventricular assist devices


Vascular Surgery


-- Thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery

-- Carotid endarterectomy and stents

-- Endovascular surgery for aortic aneurysms and limb salvage
-- Lower extremity bypass procedures

-- Uncommon mesenteric and upper extremity revascularization
-- Supraaortic trunk revascularization


Cardiology


-- Primary and secondary prevention

-- Advanced diagnostic testing including echocardiography, nuclear cardiology, cardiac MRI and computed tomography

-- Cardiac electrophysiology, including diagnostic EP procedures, catheter ablation and pacemaker and ICD implantation

-- Heart failure management

-- Evaluation of heart valve disease

-- Acute coronary care

-- Diagnostic catheterization and interventional cardiology


Contact: Amanda Widtfeldt

awidtfelnmh

312-926-2955

Northwestern Memorial Hospital

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