Key result
Evidence-based medical therapies for chronic heart failure were underused, with ACE inhibitors/ARBs and β-blockers utilized in only 58.2% and 34.7% of patients, respectively.
Why the study?
What is the rate of adherence to pharmacological treatment guidelines for chronic heart failure in a rural Australian population?
Observational (n=677)
What is the rate of adherence to pharmacological treatment guidelines for chronic heart failure in a rural Australian population?
Evidence-based medical therapies for heart failure, including ACE inhibitors/ARBs and beta-blockers, are significantly underutilized and underdosed in rural Australian populations.
May signal need for targeted GDMT programs in rural HF; leaves open generalizability and solutions pending prospective study.
BACKGROUND: To document the pharmacotherapy of chronic heart failure (CHF) and to evaluate the adherence to treatment guidelines in Australian population. METHODS: The pharmacological management of 677 patients (female 46.7%, 75.5 ± 11.6 years) with CHF was retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The use of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) and β-blockers were 58.2 % and 34.7 %, respectively. Major reasons for non-use of ACE inhibitors/ARBs were hyperkalemia and elevated serum creatinine level. For patients who did not receive β-blockers, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were the main contraindications. Treatment at or above target dosages for ACE inhibitors/ARBs and β-blockers was low for each medication (40.3% and 28.9%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Evidenced-based medical therapies for heart failure were under used in a rural patient population. Further studies are required to develop processes to improve the optimal use of heart failure medications.
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Yao et al. (2011) conducted an observational in chronic heart failure (n=677). Pharmacological management of chronic heart failure was evaluated on Use of ACE inhibitors/ARBs and β-blockers. Evidence-based medical therapies for chronic heart failure were underused, with ACE inhibitors/ARBs and β-blockers utilized in only 58.2% and 34.7% of patients, respectively.
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