Effect of heart failure program on cardiovascular drug utilization and dosage in patients with chronic heart failure.
BACKGROUND
Utilization and dosage of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) remain low. Recent data suggest that care of patients with CHF in specialized heart failure programs is associated with improved clinical outcomes.


OBJECTIVE
Specialized heart failure care is associated with better utilization and higher dose of cardiovascular drugs.


METHODS
Data from 133 patients with CHF referred to a heart failure program were analyzed. Mean functional class 3.1 +/- 0.5, left ventricular ejection fraction 19 +/- 8. Utilization and doses of cardiovascular drugs were examined at initial evaluation and at last visit, after an average period of 17 +/- 14 months. Hospitalization and survival data were determined.


RESULTS
Utilization of ACE inhibitors and angiotensin-receptor blockers increased from 87 to 100% (p < 0.001). Average daily dose increased by 60%, from the equivalent of captopril 105 +/- 78 mg to 167 +/- 86 mg (p < 0.001). Utilization of the following drugs increased significantly: beta blockers (16-37%, p < 0.001), metolazone (10-23%, p = 0.007), spironolactone (1-36%, p < 0.001), amiodarone (7-15%, p = 0.05), hydralazine (1-9%, p = 0.004), and nitrates (20-33%, p = 0.03). One-year survival was 90%. The 3- and 6-month hospitalization rates for heart failure were 4 and 7%, and for all cardiovascular causes they were 6 and 11%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Care of patients with CHF in a specialized heart failure program was associated with significant increase in the utilization and doses of all beneficial cardiovascular drugs, especially ACE inhibitors. It was also associated with excellent clinical outcomes.
Ramahi
T M
TM
Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510-2483, USA.
Longo
M D
MD
Rohlfs
K
K
Sheynberg
N
N
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors