Sodium Restriction in Japanese Patients Hospitalized with Acute Decompensated Heart Failure

Backgrounds: Although the salt restriction is nonpharmacologic measures widely used in the treatment of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF), the benefits of salt restriction in Japanese patients hospitalized with ADHF are unclear. Methods and Results: We studied 114 consecutive patients hospitalized with ADHF between January 2011 and December 2011 retrospectively. Salt restriction (maximum dietary intake, 6 g/d) were carried out in 91 patients: restriction group. Twenty three patients received a standard hospital diet (10 g of dietary intake): control group. The mean age of the patients was 77 years for both groups and the rate of major cardiovascular comorbidities was not different between the groups. At the 2-year follow up, the cumulative incidence of hospitalized for heart failure was not different between the two groups (40% in restriction group v.s. 38% in control group, n.s). In patients O 80 years, the incidence of hyponatremia (Na ! 135 mEq/L), was significantly higher in restriction group than control group (31% v.s. 11%, p50.01). Conclusion: Salt restriction may be unnecessary for aged patients admitted for ADHF.