Background: Racial inequities for patients with heart failure (HF) have been widely documented. HF patients who receive cardiology care during a hospital admission have better outcomes. It is unknown whether there are differences in admission to a cardiology or general medicine service by race. This study examined the relationship between race and admission service, and its effect on 30-day readmission and mortality Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study from September 2008 to November 2017 at a single large urban academic referral center of all patients self-referred to the emergency department and admitted to either the cardiology or general medicine service with a principal diagnosis of HF, who self-identified as white, black, or Latinx. We used multivariable generalized estimating equation models to assess the relationship between race and admission to the cardiology service. We used Cox regression to assess the association between race, admission service, and 30-day readmission and mortality. Results: Among 1967 unique patients (66.7% white, 23.6% black, and 9.7% Latinx), black and Latinx patients had lower rates of admission to the cardiology service than white patients (adjusted rate ratio, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.84–0.98, for black; adjusted rate ratio, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.72–0.97 for Latinx). Female sex and age >75 years were also independently associated with lower rates of admission to the cardiology service. Admission to the cardiology service was independently associated with decreased readmission within 30 days, independent of race. Conclusions: Black and Latinx patients were less likely to be admitted to cardiology for HF care. This inequity may, in part, drive racial inequities in HF outcomes.

Aims Frailty is associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular (CV) events. Limited data exist from the modern era of CV prevention on the relationship between frailty and CV mortality. We hypothesized that frailty is associated with an increased risk of CV mortality. Methods and results All US Veterans aged ≥65 years who were regular users of Veteran Affairs care from 2002 to 2017 were included. Frailty was defined using a 31-item previously validated frailty index, ranging from 0 to 1. The primary outcome was CV mortality with secondary analyses examining the relationship between frailty and CV events (myocardial infarction, stroke, revascularization). Survival analysis models were adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, geographic region, smoking, hyperlipidaemia, statin use, and blood pressure medication use. There were 3 068 439 US Veterans included in the analysis. Mean age was 74.1 ± 5.8 years in 2002, 76.0 ± 8.3 years in 2014, 98% male, and 87.5% White. In 2002, the median (interquartile range) frailty score was 0.16 (0.10–0.23). This increased and stabilized to 0.19 (0.10–0.32) for 2006–14. The presence of frailty was associated with an increased risk of CV mortality at every stage of frailty. Frailty was associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction and stroke, but not revascularization. Conclusion In this population, both the presence and severity of frailty are tightly correlated with CV death, independent of underlying CV disease. This study is the largest and most contemporary evaluation of the relationship between frailty and CV mortality to date. Further work is needed to understand how this risk can be diminished. Key Question Can an electronic frailty index identify adults aged 65 and older who are at risk of CV mortality and major CV events? Key Finding Among 3 068 439 US Veterans aged 65 and older, frailty was associated with an increased risk of CV mortality at every level of frailty. Frailty was also associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction and stroke, but not revascularization. Take Home Message Both the presence and severity of frailty are associated with CV mortality and major CV events, independent of underlying CV disease.