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September 27, 2025

Contemporary implementation of guideline-directed medical and device therapies in heart failure: Insights from the Central/Eastern Europe Quality of Care Centres Survey.

Key Points

Substantial incorporation of guideline-directed medical therapies occurred from admission to discharge, increasing access to vital heart failure treatments.
At discharge, 53.5% of patients received quadruple therapy, while 18.8% achieved target doses of medications, indicating progress yet room for further improvement.
Elderly patients and those with non-ischaemic heart failure showed notable underuse of guideline-directed medical therapies, highlighting a need for targeted strategies.
Despite improved medication adherence, device implantation rates remain low, necessitating enhanced strategies for comprehensive heart failure care.

Abstract

The Central/Eastern Europe (CEE) Quality of Care Centres (QCC) Survey evaluated the implementation of guideline-directed medical therapies (GDMT) and device use at discharge after heart failure (HF) hospitalization in CEE, where GDMT underutilization remains a concern. Between March 2024 and January 2025, 2251 patients (mean age 70.0 years, 60.4% male) were enrolled at discharge from 21 centres across 12 CEE countries. The patient population included HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) (55.5%), HF with mildly reduced ejection fraction (15.3%) and HF with preserved ejection fraction (27.9%). In the total population, from admission to discharge there was a increase in the use of angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) (17.1% to 34.3%), beta-blockers (69.4% to 92.4%), mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA) (44.0% to 82.1%) and sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) (30.8% to 79.9%), with a reduction in angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) use (all p < 0.05). Similar trends were observed across HF phenotypes, including HFrEF (increased use of ARNI, 26.3% to 55.1%, beta-blockers, 69.8% to 95.3%, MRA 49.5% to 89.0%, and SGLT2I 36.2% to 79.8%, and lower ACEI use, all p < 0.05). At discharge, 53.5% of patients received quadruple therapy (63.9% with HFrEF), while ≥50% target doses of titratable drugs were achieved in 18.8% (17.8% in HFrEF). Predictors of GDMT underuse included older age, lower education, living alone, non-ischaemic HF, higher ejection fraction, chronic kidney disease, hypotension, hyperkalaemia, prolonged hospitalization, and residual oedema. Among eligible HFrEF patients, 21.3% were discharged with, or referred for implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, and 17.4% for cardiac resynchronization therapy. The CEE-QCC Survey highlights substantial in-hospital GDMT implementation and up-titration, though device use remains limited. Targeted strategies are needed to enhance guideline implementation and ensure optimal HF care across the CEE region.

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