title: 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).
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. justin.ezekowitz@ualberta.ca
authors.forename: Justin A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Ezekowitz
authors.forename: Adrian F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Hernandez
authors.forename: Randall C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Starling
authors.forename: Clyde W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Yancy
authors.forename: Barry
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Massie
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: Henry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Krum
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Diaz
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ponikowski
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Metra
authors.forename: Jonathon G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Howlett
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gennevois
authors.forename: Christopher M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: O'Connor
authors.forename: Robert M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Califf
authors.forename: Gregg C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Fonarow
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D045283:Natriuretic Agents; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain