[European study of ambulatory management of heart failure by cardiologists].
OBJECTIVE
This cross-sectional study examined the overall clinical characteristics and management of 1252 outpatients with heart failure in 3 countries (Spain, France and Germany).


METHODS
A standardized questionnaire was used to record demographic, diagnostic, clinical and treatment data for all patients seen on one day (26 April 2001) by 465 outpatient cardiologists.


RESULTS
Men accounted for 62.1% of the patients in the population, and mean age of the patients was 68.3 years. In the twelve months prior to the study 78% of the patients consulted their physician at least once because of heart failure, and 36.2% had hospital admissions. Differences between the three countries were observed in reported causes of heart failure (alone or in combination) such as ischemic heart disease (France 40.7%, Germany 41.3%, Spain 26%, P<.0001) and hypertension (France 10.7%, Germany 16.7%, Spain 43.6%, P<.0001). How-ever the proportion of patients with prior myocardial infarction was very similar (France 63.7%, Germany 69.5%, Spain 65%, P=NS). Diuretics were not prescribed in 19.7% of the patients, ACE inhibitors were not prescribed in 27.9%, and beta blockers were not prescribed in 52.3%.


CONCLUSIONS
The study provides further information on the consumption of large amounts of medical resources because of heart failure. The reported etiologies differed between countries. However, the proportion of patients with prior myocardial infarction was very similar. Treatment with ACE inhibitors and beta blockers was slightly more common than previously reported, although beta blockers continue to be underused.
Salvador
María J
MJ
mjsalvador@idexeus.es
Sebaoun
Alain
A
Sonntag
Frank
F
Blanch
Pedro
P
Silber
Sigmund
S
Aznar
Joaquín
J
Komajda
Michel
M
D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D005858:Germany; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires