Standardizing care for acute decompensated heart failure in a large megatrial: the approach for the Acute Studies of Clinical Effectiveness of Nesiritide in Subjects with Decompensated Heart Failure (ASCEND-HF).
Acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) is a major public health issue and remains a heterogeneous, complex, and difficult condition to manage. Although novel acute therapies are being tested in large randomized clinical trials, opportunities exist to improve the standard of care by ensuring optimal adherence to currently established evidence-based interventions for HF. Consideration of the goals of therapy and practical application of current methods to assess for clinical improvement may lead to improved patient management and possibly improved outcomes for patients with ADHF. This review provides key practical information regarding the current standard of care for patients with ADHF including the goals of therapy, management of acute and chronic medications, and discharge/transition of care planning.
Ezekowitz
Justin A
JA
University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. justin.ezekowitz@ualberta.ca
Hernandez
Adrian F
AF
Starling
Randall C
RC
Yancy
Clyde W
CW
Massie
Barry
B
Hill
James A
JA
Krum
Henry
H
Diaz
Rafael
R
Ponikowski
Piotr
P
Metra
Marco
M
Howlett
Jonathon G
JG
Gennevois
Daniel
D
O'Connor
Christopher M
CM
Califf
Robert M
RM
Fonarow
Gregg C
GC
D000208:Acute Disease; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D045283:Natriuretic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010351:Patient Discharge
D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D045283:Natriuretic Agents; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain