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).