Ambulatory Heart Failure Management in Private Practice in France
Key result
Ambulatory heart failure management in French private practice showed underuse of recommended therapies, with ACE inhibitors prescribed to 54% and beta-blockers to 14% of patients.
Population
600 patients with ambulatory heart failure managed in private practice, mean age 73, 64% male. NYHA class…
Design
Cross-sectional
Authors
Discussion
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Member takes
Implication
Provides snapshot of ambulatory HF care by private cardiologists; leaves open optimization gaps and need for updated prospective data.
Key Points
- To evaluate clinical profiles, hospitalization history, and pharmacotherapy patterns among ambulatory heart failure patients managed by private cardiologists.
- Surveyed N=600 ambulatory heart failure patients (mean age 73 years, 64% male) managed by a representative sample of private cardiologists in France.
- Assessed NYHA functional class distribution (I: 9%, II: 52%, III: 33%, IV: 6%), diagnostic origin, hospitalization history, and prescription frequencies across therapeutic classes.
- Prior heart failure hospitalization was reported in 52% of patients overall, with 26% hospitalized in the preceding year with a mean stay of 13.1 days.
- Guideline-directed medical therapy was underutilized: diuretics were prescribed to 71%, digitalis to 35%, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors to 54% (45% in patients aged >80 years), and beta-blockers to only 14%.
- Most patients (70%) received three or more heart failure drug classes, and initial diagnosis was made primarily by cardiologists (57%) or general practitioners (37%).
Study Design
Type
Cross-Sectional (n=600)
Multicenter
Yes
Structured PICO
P
Population
600 ambulatory heart failure patients (mean age 73, 36% female) managed by private cardiologists in France.
O
Outcome
Current management practices and medication utilization for ambulatory heart failure
This survey highlights the underuse of guideline-recommended therapies, particularly ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers, in elderly ambulatory heart failure patients in French private practice.
Cite This Study
Komajda et al. (2001) conducted a cross-sectional in Ambulatory heart failure (n=600). Current medical practice was evaluated on Prescription rates of heart failure medications. Ambulatory heart failure management in French private practice showed underuse of recommended therapies, with ACE inhibitors prescribed to 54% and beta-blockers to 14% of patients.