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).