2.2 | Setting and subjects
This study was carried out from October 1, 2018 to April 30, 2019 in the department of Cardiology of a tertiary first-class comprehensive hospital in southeastern China. All participants were completely informed the content of the consent form with signatures. The inclusion criteria were (i) age ≥18 years, (ii) diagnosis of HF according to 2017 ACC/AHA/HFSA Heart Failure Focused Update Guidelines with combination of clinical symptoms, physical examination, chest X-ray and echocardiography 12, (iii) New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III-IV or Killip class II-IV, and (iv) daily fluid intake and output records following doctors’ advices. The exclusion criteria consisted of hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, bedside ultrafiltration, continuous kidney substitution treatment (CRRT), cancer and another uncooperative disease (e.g. dementia and cognitive impairment).