Medicines optimization prior to discharge in patients admitted to hospital with heart failure

Cuthbert, Joseph J.; Brown, Oliver I; Pellicori, Pierpaolo; Dobbs, Karen; Bulemfu, Jeanne; Kazmi, Syed; Sokoreli, Ioanna; Pauws, Steffan C; Riistama, Jarno M.; Cleland, John G.F.; Clark, Andrew L.

Abstract

Aims: Approximately half of patients with heart failure and a reduced ejection fraction (HeFREF) are discharged from hospital on triple therapy [angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-Is) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), beta-blockers (BBs), and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs)]. We investigated what proportion of patients are on optimal doses prior to discharge and how many might be eligible for initiation of sacubitril–valsartan or sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2Is). Methods and results: Between 2012 and 2017, 1277 patients admitted with suspected heart failure were enrolled at a single hospital serving a local community around Kingston upon Hull, UK. Eligibility for sacubitril–valsartan or SGLT2I was based on entry criteria for the PIONEER-HF, DAPA-HF, and EMPEROR-Reduced trials. Four hundred fifty-five patients had HeFREF with complete data on renal function, heart rate, and systolic blood pressure (SBP) prior to discharge. Eighty-three per cent of patients were taking an ACE-I or ARB, 85% a BB, and 63% an MRA at discharge. More than 60% of patients were eligible for sacubitril–valsartan and >70% for SGLT2I. Among those not already receiving a prescription, 37%, 28%, and 49% were eligible to start ACE-I or ARB, BB, and MRA, respectively. Low SBP (≤105mmHg) was the most frequent explanation for failure to initiate or up-titrate therapy. Conclusions: Most patients admitted for heart failure are eligible for initiation of life-prolonging medications prior to discharge. A hospital admission may be a common missed opportunity to improve treatment for patients with HeFREF.

Citation

Cuthbert, J. J., Brown, O. I., Pellicori, P., Dobbs, K., Bulemfu, J., Kazmi, S., Sokoreli, I., Pauws, S. C., Riistama, J. M., Cleland, J. G., & Clark, A. L. (2024). Medicines optimization prior to discharge in patients admitted to hospital with heart failure. ESC Heart Failure, 11(2), 950-961. https://doi.org/10.1002/ehf2.14638

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 28, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Jan 16, 2024
• Publication Date: Apr 1, 2024
• Deposit Date: Jan 17, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 17, 2024
• Journal: ESC Heart Failure
• Electronic ISSN: 2055-5822
• Publisher: Wiley Open Access
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 11
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 950-961
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ehf2.14638
• Keywords: Quadruple therapy; Inpatient; Medicine optimization; Heart failure; Discharge
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4518903