Cooper LB, Lippmann SJ, DiBello JR, et al. - Researchers used the OPTIMIZE-HF registry linked to Medicare claims to describe congestion in patients ≥ 65 years old hospitalized for heart failure (HF) from 2003 to 2004, as well as to assess if congestion severity at admission impacts postdischarge outcomes. A 15-point scale was used to score dyspnea, orthopnea, fatigue, jugular venous pressure, rales, and edema in order to measure congestion severity. For the 24,724 patients included, the range of congestion scores was from 0 to 14, with a median of 5 (Q1, Q3: 3, 7). The rates of recent HF hospitalizations, EF ≤ 40%, and co-morbidities, including arrhythmias, diabetes mellitus, and renal insufficiency were highest among patients with the highest scores (≥ 7), at baseline. Findings revealed an association of congestion with rehospitalization and mortality among the participants.