BACKGROUND: Several studies based on claims data have reported underutilization of evidence-based heart failure (HF) therapies. The degree to which these estimates fail to account for therapeutic contraindications is unclear. METHODS: We identified patients with HF and left ventricular ejection fraction ≤45% seen between January 1, 2010, and July 1, 2010, at a tertiary care Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Medical records were abstracted to evaluate utilization of and contraindications to β-blocker, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, aldosterone antagonist, anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, and cardiac resynchronization therapies. RESULTS: Of the 178 patients with HF and an ejection fraction ≤45%, 78 (44%) received every guideline-recommended therapy. After accounting for medical contraindications, 77 (72%) of 107 patients received every guideline-recommended therapy. Adherence to recommendations for β-blocker (98%), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin blocker (95%), and anticoagulation (97%) were better than adherence to implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (82%), cardiac resynchronization therapy (59%), or aldosterone antagonist (51%) recommendations. In adjusted analysis, lower New York Heart Association functional class and care by a cardiologist were associated with improved guideline adherence (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Many patients with HF have therapeutic contraindications, and a failure to account for these may lead to a large underestimation of the true guideline adherence rates.
BACKGROUND: Several studies based on claims data have reported underutilization of evidence-based heart failure (HF) therapies. The degree to which these estimates fail to account for therapeutic contraindications is unclear. METHODS: We identified patients with HF and left ventricular ejection fraction ≤45% seen between January 1, 2010, and July 1, 2010, at a tertiary care Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Medical records were abstracted to evaluate utilization of and contraindications to β-blocker, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, aldosterone antagonist, anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, and cardiac resynchronization therapies. RESULTS: Of the 178 patients with HF and an ejection fraction ≤45%, 78 (44%) received every guideline-recommended therapy. After accounting for medical contraindications, 77 (72%) of 107 patients received every guideline-recommended therapy. Adherence to recommendations for β-blocker (98%), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin blocker (95%), and anticoagulation (97%) were better than adherence to implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (82%), cardiac resynchronization therapy (59%), or aldosterone antagonist (51%) recommendations. In adjusted analysis, lower New York Heart Association functional class and care by a cardiologist were associated with improved guideline adherence (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Many patients with HF have therapeutic contraindications, and a failure to account for these may lead to a large underestimation of the true guideline adherence rates.
Authors: Allen Hoang; Changyu Shen; James Zheng; Stanley Taylor; William J Groh; Marc Rosenman; Alfred E Buxton; Peng-Sheng Chen Journal: Heart Rhythm Date: 2014-02-22 Impact factor: 6.343
Authors: Daya Ram Parajuli; Sepehr Shakib; Joanne Eng-Frost; Ross A McKinnon; Gillian E Caughey; Dean Whitehead Journal: BMC Cardiovasc Disord Date: 2021-02-18 Impact factor: 2.298
Authors: Rochelle Bernier; Jessica Ng; Dat T Tran; Evan Lockwood; Lucy Reyes; Karen Cowan; Nowell M Fine; Justin Ezekowitz; Derek V Exner; Satish R Raj; Roopinder K Sandhu Journal: CJC Open Date: 2019-06-07