Insights into the contemporary management of heart failure in specialized multidisciplinary ambulatory clinics.
Can J Cardiol
; 29(9): 1062-8, 2013 Sep.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-23623645
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Heart failure (HF) clinics are associated with improved outcomes in randomized trials, however, there is substantial heterogeneity in the service models of HF clinics in practice. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of this clinic level heterogeneity on HF patient management in Ontario, Canada.METHODS:
Charts were abstracted from 9 HF clinics, chosen at random from the 34 HF clinics in operation in Ontario in 2011. From each clinic, approximately 100 patient charts were randomly selected for detailed abstraction on patient demographic characteristics, comorbidities, diagnostic tests, medication use, and referrals, over a 1-year period from the first clinic visit.RESULTS:
Significant heterogeneity was observed in patient baseline profiles, pharmacological therapies, diagnostic testing, clinic personnel, and referrals across 9 clinics. The mean age of patients was 66.1 ± 15.7 years and was significantly different between the clinics. Most patients were male (65%), and mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 33%. There was significant variation in the utilization of echocardiography (42%-94%) and coronary angiography (19%-62%). Overall, approximately 88% of patients were prescribed angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and/or angiotensin receptor blockers, and 85% were prescribe ß-blockers. The rates of referral to cardiac rehabilitation programs were overall low at 10.4% of patients, with substantial variation (1%-28%).CONCLUSIONS:
Specialized HF clinics have wide variation in the health personnel involved and the care provided; in addition, patients treated at these HF clinics have important differences in clinical characteristics. Strategies should be considered at the appropriate level (eg, province-wide in Ontario) to standardize HF management and provide best evidence-based care to patients.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Equipe de Assistência ao Paciente
/
Instituições de Assistência Ambulatorial
/
Insuficiência Cardíaca
Tipo de estudo:
Clinical_trials
/
Prognostic_studies
Limite:
Aged
/
Aged80
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
País/Região como assunto:
America do norte
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2013
Tipo de documento:
Article