Long-Term Follow-Up in Optimally Treated and Stable Heart Failure Patients: Primary Care vs. Heart Failure Clinic. Results of the COACH-2 Study
Why the study?
Does long-term follow-up in primary care maintain guideline and patient adherence compared to a specialized heart failure clinic in optimally treated and stable heart failure patients?
Population
189 heart failure patients initially managed and up-titrated to optimal treatment at a specialized heart…
Comparison
Long-term follow-up in primary care for 12 months vs Long-term follow-up at a specialized heart…
Design
RCT, randomized
Follow-up
12 months
Authors
Discussion
Loading...
Member takes
Implication
Supports transitioning stable HF patients to primary care; extends evidence for decentralized follow-up while warranting vigilance for non-cardiovascular events.
Structured PICO
Does long-term follow-up in primary care maintain guideline and patient adherence compared to a specialized heart failure clinic in optimally treated and stable heart failure patients?
P
Population
189 heart failure patients (62% male, age 72 ± 11 years) initially managed and up-titrated to optimal treatment at a specialized heart failure clinic
I
Intervention
Long-term follow-up in primary care (n=97) for 12 months
C
Comparator
Long-term follow-up at a specialized heart failure clinic (n=92) for 12 months
O
Outcome
Guideline adherence (estimated by the Guideline Adherence Indicator, GAI-3) and patient adherence (medication possession ratio, MPR) at 12 months
Stable heart failure patients can be transitioned to primary care for long-term follow-up without compromising guideline or medication adherence, though close monitoring for non-cardiovascular comorbidities remains necessary.
Cite This Study
Luttik et al. (2014) studied this question.