3.1 | Clinical characteristics
The clinical characteristics for PRG (n=65) and SRG (n=64) were
presented in Table 2. There was no significant difference in body
weight, hemoglobin, red blood cell (RBC), hematocrit, red cell
distribution width (RDW), albumin, osmotic pressure, NT-proBNP,
classification of cardiac function,
left
ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), complications, use of intravenous
diuretics, and the completeness of intake and output records
(P >0.05). Meanwhile, hospitalization days and CCS accessed at
admission in both groups were also similar respectively
(P >0.05).
3.2 | Comparison
of outcomes
Compared to PRG patients, SRG patients also improved HF symptoms (e.g.
shortness of breath and peripheral fluid retention) in the similar
treatment duration after using intravenous diuretics. Shortness of
breath and peripheral fluid retention are two important items in CCS20. Collectively, CCS between two groups also showed
no statistical differences (SRG, 3.89±0.99 vs. PRG, 4.19±1.10;P =0.110). In addition, there were no significant differences of
clinical stability in the days from admission to improvement between two
groups. Furthermore, SRG patients also did not show the prolonged
hospitalization time and the increased MLHFQ score. Therefore, both
groups exhibited the similar improvement in HF symptoms and clinical
signs. Besides, there was no statistical significance in the incidence
of hypokalemia, hyperkalemia, hyponatremia, and hypernatremia as
reported in Table 3 (P >0.05).