Deceased patients were significantly older; had more frequently hypertension, myocardial infarction or heart failure, atrial fibrillation, CKD, and active malignancy in their medical history; had more pronounced markers of inflammation (i.e. had higher neutrophil and lower lymphocyte relative counts, higher CRP and procalcintonin levels); and higher serum creatinine and lower albumin level at the time of admission (all p < 0.05). The gene discussed is ALB; the disease is heart failure.